Fundraiser brings in $4,000

Fundraiser brings in $4,000
Here and Now column by Dan Hilborn, Burnaby Now assistant editor
Published June 14, 2003


The folks at the Charlford House Society, who operate the Lower Mainland's only recovery house dedicated to helping women, are very pleased after they raised $4,000 at their first fundraising dinner and auction last week.

Unfortunately, the only non-profit group of its kind in the Lower Mainland still has to make up the remainder of a recent $40,000 cut in government funding.

"I guess $4,000 isn't too bad for the first time at an auction, but we still have $36,000 left to go," program director Linda Shaw said this week.

The dinner and auction was a blast. I was there with my 10-year- old son, who thoroughly enjoyed the so-called 'loonie toonie' auction, which was more than ably MCed by the house's chief fundraiser, Natasha Loeffler.

But, despite having some very valuable items up for bid, such as autographed Vancouver Canucks training suits and hats, several computers, unique artwork and more, the crowd simply did not have the kind of financial backing that other, better-known societies might have.

"The government has thrown us out to the public, and the public has dried up," Shaw said. "Every group is in the same boat as us. We've never had to go out asking for donations before, and now we're just one of many organizations out there."

For example, Shaw herself has been to fundraisers where autographed Canucks gear can fetch up to $10,000. At the Charlford dinner, the richest bid of the night was just over $400. (And no, it wasn't from your local reporter. My contribution barely paid for my son and me.)

"We just don't have the connections," Shaw said, noting that her society fully intends to keep its doors open and host another auction next year. On hand for the event were MP Svend Robinson and MLA Richard Lee, who was brave enough to trumpet the province's new drug and alcohol education program for students in Grade 10 (a program that failed to impress most of the people at the dinner).

To get on board early for next year's dinner and auction and to help women leave the cycle of abuse, call the society at 420-4626.

ZELLERS SHOPPERS CARE

The Marguerite Dixon Transition House Society received $1,500 recently, thanks to the generosity of shoppers at the Brentwood Mall Zellers store last Christmas.

The cheque, which will assist the society in providing safe homes for women and their children when they flee from abusive relationships, was presented late last month. The money was raised through Zellers' nationwide gift box donation program, which handed out a total of $960,000 to 196 charities across the country this year.

"The success of this campaign in our store was real testament to the generosity of our shoppers and the importance they place on giving back to their community," said the local store manager. "We are thrilled to be able to lend our support to Marguerite Dixon Transition House Society."

DANCING TO NASHVILLE

A quintet of young women from Burnaby are heading to Nashville, Tenn. next month to take part in the North American Irish Dance championships.

Sisters Alexandra, Sophie and Tess Borwein, plus sisters Alexandra and Vanessa Giugliani are among a total of eight students from Scoil Rince de Danaan who will make the trip in early July.

The dancers earned their spots at the prestigious competition after top finishes at the Western Canada championships held recently in Edmonton.

The school will hold its year-end performance at the Terry Fox Theatre in Port Coquitlam this Sunday, June 8 at 3 p.m. For tickets, call 604-787-2546. For more information on the school, visit the Web site, www.dedanaan.ca.

LEA HONOURED AGAIN

One of Burnaby's most active environmental groups is celebrating its fifth anniversary in style after learning it will receive a prestigious award from the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment.

The Labour Environmental Alliance, headed by longtime Burnaby activist Mae Burrows, will receive the honour as thanks for their leadership in avoiding or minimizing the creation of pollutants and waste.

The award was handed out at the CCME Roundtable on the Environment meeting in Calgary on June 11. It recognizes the society's work on reducing the number of toxic cleaners in the workplace. The society's anniversary and open house will be held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 25 at the Canadian Auto Workers Hall, 326 12th St., New Westminster.