Tickets are selling fast for the South Cariboo Canadian Mental Health Association’s inaugural Hearts and Minds Fundraising Gala.
The event is being organized for Saturday, April 20 at P.V. Cuisine by Kristin Wells, the CMHA’s community engagement coordinator. Wells said she hopes to make this an annual fundraising event for CMHA that the entire community can enjoy.
“We have heard there are a lot of ladies in 100 Mile House who want to dress up but don’t have a chance to dress up because there’s not a lot of formal events in town,” Wells said. “The gala is a night for everyone to dress up fancy and get your hair and makeup done.”
Tickets are available now at the CMHA’s office in 100 Mile House located at 555 Cedar Avenue beside the 100 Mile District General Hospital, at Didi’s Boutique and P.V. Cuisine for $60 a ticket. They have only 20 tickets of 100 left with Wells expecting them to sell out by the end of the week.
Wells explained the event will get underway at 6 p.m. with Hors d’oeuvres and complimentary champagne. Attendees will be invited to browse the silent auction which Wells said is well stocked with a huge number of items. Throughout the night they’ll also have live music provided by Tracy Lynn and other local artists.
“We’re also going to have a step and repeat board. You see them all the time at awards shows, so it’s a board people stop in front of and have their picture taken.”
Throughout the event, Wells and the other members of CMHA will be running a 50/50 draw and a wine pull with attendees getting the chance to win a bottle of wine. She is hopeful the attendees are generous and that CMHA is able to raise any amount of money from the event.
“We just want to bring awareness to mental health in the South Cariboo and raise some funds for us as well. When we take donations locally it stays at our branch and goes back into our programs and gives our clients chances to go on activities,” Wells said. “We don’t really have a goal, we just want to raise anything.”
100 Mile Fire Rescue will be providing a safe ride home program, Wells noted, so attendees can enjoy their champagne without worrying about the drive home. She encourages anyone with an interest in attending to buy their tickets now.
“Rome wasn’t built in a day so we’re hoping that for our first year, we’ll get a bit of attention and over the years we’ll slowly build it, go to bigger venues and attract more people,” Wells remarked.
Anyone with further questions is invited to contact Wells at 250-395-4883.