Fashion Show Success: How Victoria Harbour Food Bank is Thriving Thanks to Generous Donations

A recent Mother’s Day event in Victoria Harbour brought together the community for a great cause. The Royal Canadian Legion branch 523 ladies’ auxiliary hosted a fashion show and tea at Oakwood Community Centre, and it turned out to be quite a success.

Organizer Doreen Gunson shared that they aimed to raise $5,000 but exceeded that goal by bringing in $6,526. A big part of this total came from a silent auction, which alone raised $1,829. “We had over 200 guests attend,” Doreen noted. “This year was bigger and better than before.”

What’s impressive is how far this event has come. Three years ago, they held their first tea with just 80 tickets sold. They raised $1,500 for the St. Vincent de Paul food bank that year. The following year, attendance grew, and they raised $2,000 for the same charity. Now, it’s clear this gathering has became an important community event.

This year’s fashion show featured outfits from local businesses, Maurices and Lilie’s Boutique, and musical entertainment from keyboardist Gary Ball. The event also included fun prizes, including a “Queen for a Day” pack won by Helga Ritter, while John Patterson’s sister accepted a blanket prize on his behalf.

Organizers prioritized giving back; they plan to donate all funds raised beyond their costs directly to the food bank. “We even decided to cover our own food expenses to donate $7,000,” Gunson shared. The cheque presentation to food bank president Mary Warnock is set for later this week.

This kind of community-driven charity effort is not just a local trend. According to a 2022 report by the Charitable Giving Research Institute, many regions reported a rise in grassroots fundraising events, showing how local communities band together to address needs. With rising food prices and economic uncertainty, these contributions make a significant impact.

Community events like this remind us of the power of coming together for a good cause. Thanks to local sponsors and volunteers, they are making a difference for those in need.

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