Our annual Christmas “Loonie Toonie Auction” was held November 17th at St. Thomas Parish Hall in Waterdown, and once again it was a smashing success! With over 180 beautifully arranged gift baskets and prizes, there was something for everyone, including the Christmas shopper in all of us this time of the year. Some of the most sought-after items included a vacation in ski country, theatre tickets, diamond jewellery, and of course wine, wine and more wine! Our Soroptimist sisters worked hard to ensure an organized and fun evening by decorating the hall, greeting newcomers and returning guests at the door (and helping them fill their pockets with loonies and toonies!), calling the auction numbers (a job not for the faint of heart!), and handing out prizes to the winners. Once again this year, we were delighted that the winner of the Wine Fridge was a member of the audience.

This year there was a more open atmosphere, with displays of baskets along the walls, and an undivided hall where everyone could cheer on the winners. And cheer they did! The excitement kept building throughout the night, and it was wonderful to hear the laughter and just plain fun at all of the tables! Many of us heard the positive comments from our tables (especially about the delicious catered hot food and chocolate desserts), and promises to return to the auction next year. What a wonderful opportunity to show the value of Soroptimism to the community.

Many thanks to our young volunteers who helped make the evening a success by shepherding guests to their tables, handing out bottles of water, and clearing the tables as the night went on. You helped the evening go smoothly, and your assistance was much appreciated. Thanks go out as well to Kerry Jarvi, past president and former member of SI-DAF, who once again was the ultimate auctioneer! And to our sponsors and donors, our heartfelt appreciation for their support to SIDAF and programs for women and girls.

Best of all, we surpassed last year’s efforts by bringing in over $15,000; money that will help us support so many wonderful programs for women and girls in our communities!

Congratulations to the members of the Fundraising Committee for a spectacular and successful event. Truly, we are “women at their best, helping other women to be their best”!

We’d like to thank Dale for getting us a Danby Wine Fridge, filled with 18 assorted red and white bottles of LCBO wine. At only $20 for 5 tickets (or $5 each), tickets will be drawn at the Christmas auction … just in time for the Christmas entertaining & gift giving season. Winner need not be present.

ALL MONEY RAISED GOES TO HELP LESS FORTUNATE WOMEN & GIRLS IN OUR COMMUNITY!

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Ever thought you should clean out your jewellery box but don’t want to go to Toronto to see some guy on tv OR who would trust a mail in company?  Does relaxing at a friends house, enjoying a refreshment or two, chat a bit, have an appetizer or two and when you go home, leave with more money then you came with sound better?  Well now there is Gold Party Princess!

What is Gold Party Princess?  You may have seen them on CTV, Global or in the newspaper, Gold Party Princess is an opportunity for you to turn unwanted gold (yellow gold, white gold, rose gold & Platinum) into CASH!  That is right, you are invited to come to a fun social evening where you won’t have to buy anything and you will be selling your unwanted gold items.

Sandy & Brooke are co-hosting the event on July 31 and we will have a qualified rep from Gold Party Princess who will evaluate & weigh your gold and offer you money on the spot!  You can bring broken chains, single earrings, stuff from your ex-boyfriend, dented jewellery or even gold teeth; jewellery with stones can also be evaluated and stones can sometimes be removed on the spot.

A prize will be awarded for the gaudiest piece of jewellery, weirdest item or the best story.  Valid government issued identification (like a drivers license) will be necessary to sell your gold as this is a requirement when dealing with second hand goods.

Refreshments will be served!  You may bring a friend, but you must RSVP as soon as possible as space is limited.

This is a community service event by Soroptimist International of Dundas, Ancaster Flamborough and Gold Party Princess will also make a contribution to our club!  If you can not make this event but would have liked to, we plan to host one again in January.

SI-DAF President, Barb McCoy, spoke about the Soroptimist organization to the Retired Women’s Teachers of Ontario. Barb did an excellent job of speaking at their Breakfast by the Bay meeting at Geraldo’s at La Salle Park on May 13th. Following the meeting, a donation was collected and shared between Soroptimist and a local women’s shelter. We’d like to thank them for their generous donation of $255.70.

Retired Women’s Teachers of Ontario (RWTO: Hamilton- Wentworth branch) organization continues to “extend a helping hand to organizations and charities that are assisting women and children” as well as providing a strong communication network and opportunities for interaction among retired women teachers.

Thanks to Brooke, S.I. DAF was the recipient of the FootPRINT Award yesterday at the Spectator building. We received $500.00 on behalf of the club, to use towards design/printing service costs.

Allegra Print & Imaging gave out 58 awards today, worth a total of $20,000.00 locally and 2 million dollars nationwide. We are thankful for this gift and hope to request this again next year, possibly for a special project. (By the way, my employer only received $250 so I think our proposal was well received Brooke).

SI DAF is stepping it up a notch for the ERC Conference. For those who attended the fall area meeting, you may remember the strand of Pearls we gave away. They were lovely 5 mm pearls won by MaryLynne of SI Peterborough…..but like I said, we want to do better that!

For ECR Conference in May we are offering a set of big 7mm Pearls that also come with a pair of earrings; a combined value of over $1,750.00!

So, why are we telling you now? Obviously this is a valuable prize & in order for us to actually raise funds with this fundraiser, we need to sell tickets! We understand that every Soroptimist of our area can not attend the conference but that does not mean that you can’t support our efforts and have a chance (or many chances) to WIN these pearls!

7mm Pearls - you could be the winner at Spring Conference! Click to view larger image »

Yes, those who are attending can purchase tickets for those friends, family and SI sisters who are not at the event, but better yet: if you pre-purchase your tickets before conference you will double your chances of winning! Insead of 10 chances for $25 … you will get 20!

Even if you plan to attend, this is a great opportunity to double your chances now, but for those who are not going to be there you will be pleased to know that the winner need not be present!

To pre-order your tickets, please make cheque payable to: SI DAF and mail it to club President, Barbara McCoy (email for her address – we don’t want to publicize it online)

Please include your name, club name, your phone # and mailing address – your ticket stubs will be mailed to you. We will record your name, club & phone number on your tickets as the winner need not be present. (FYI we are NOT marketing these tickets anywhere except to Soroptimists and on our web site. If you have friends or family who love pearls, this draw is open to non-SI members as well.)

Thank you for your support,
Your friends at SI DAF