Shops in Kelowna are banding together to support a better cause.
On Thursday, May 11, a few days before Mother’s Day, local shops will be hosting a fundraiser called Mom’s the Word to support women who have been victims of abuse, suffer from mental heath issues or addictions.
All proceeds will go to NOW Canada, a nonprofit which provides safe housing and programs for women.
“The hope is to grow this event to 100 women locally, (who donate) $100 annually to help 100 hurting women in our community,” according to the event’s poster.
The event runs from 6 to 8 p.m. on Pandosy Street, featuring Marmalade Cat Cafe, Blue Ginger and Lily Blue and will include live music, shopping discounts at the stores, a door prize for a fancy dinner at Quails’ Gate, a silent auction and more.
Ticket sales will be matched to $5,000 by Scotia Wealth Management and Delcourt Advisory Group and Urban Liquor will donate wine for the event.
The goal is to raise $15,000 said Andrea Cosar, supervisor for Blue Ginger who is also creating gift baskets for the auction.
“It’s important for our community to be aware of people in our own backyard,” she said.
Executive director of NOW Canada, Liz Talbott said she was blown away by the community support.
“When the community recognizes there is a need and actively participates in supporting this need, it starts to make a change in the lives of some of our community’s most vulnerable residents,” she said.
Above the NOW Canada office lies 39 safe housing units for vulnerable women which neighbour Pandosy Street. When Delcourt asked if the neighbouring shops would support NOW Canada, they were quick to jump on board.
“They said let’s get a meeting together with the owners of Marmalade Cat Cafe, Blue Ginger and Lily Blue and let’s discuss it,” said Delcourt. “I’m discovering it’s not that community members don’t want to step up, it’s more of they just don’t know the need and they don’t know where and how (to help).”
The idea for a Mother’s Day theme came from Cosar.
“(Cosar) suggested we work around the Mother’s Day season and suggested a theme around having a mom, knowing a mom and supporting a mom,” said Delcourt.
For more information visit www.nowcanada.ca.