Heather Latter
The “Mamma Needs to Accessorize” fundraiser lunch, held Sunday afternoon at Robert Moore School here, was a big hit—raising more than $8,000 for the Riverside Foundation for Health Care and making it the most successful luncheon yet.
“It was just awesome,” enthused Foundation director Nicke Baird, adding everyone seemed to really enjoy themselves.
“I think it was really popular because women just love jewellery,” she added.
With a sold-out crowd and plenty of games, delicious food, and fabulous prizes, Baird said the new theme this year rejuvenated the event.
While past years had focused on bags, such as handbags and purses both old and new, the Foundation’s special events committee brainstormed some new ideas and chose to go with the “accessory” theme for a change.
“It’s different because jewellery and accessories appeals to more tastes and flavours,” Baird explained.
“There’s a wide variety—from gold or silver to costume or real, even scarves and sunglasses.”
The 184 women on hand for the event were treated to a tasty lunch of croissant sandwiches and Caesar salad, prepared and donated by the catering staff at La Verendrye Hospital.
There were plenty of chances for attendees to win or purchase accessories, such as at the silent auction table, the penny table, or the garage sale table.
There also were a few games, including the “grab-a-bag” game and the “spin to win” game, as well as a door prize.
“I think the reason it was such a success was because we had a lot of really great donations,” noted Baird, citing a pair of Oakleys sunglasses donated by Lidkea Optometry Clinic and a $100 gift certificate for Lia Sophia Jewellery, donated by Melissa Pearson, as some of the top prizes up for grabs.
“Everything was 100 percent donated from the community,” she enthused.
Baird said people also may have been inclined to make multiple purchases for jewellery and accessories, instead of handbags, where they might buy just one.
“With jewellery, they could buy a necklace, earrings, and a scarf.
“You can never have too many accessories,” she reasoned.
And with the larger venue this year (the gym at Robert Moore), organizers were able to have 30 more people attend than previous years.
Baird felt the special events committee really pulled together, sharing the workload, and worked hard to make the event the biggest and best yet.
She noted while they might return to the “bag” theme next year, they also have some other ideas for future fundraisers.
“I just want to thank everyone who helped make it such a success—the committee, all those who made donations, and everyone who attended the event,” Baird said.
