We’re giving away 7mm pearls with earrings!

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

Loonie-Toonie Auction

With 106 auction items available for a loonie or a toonie per bid, we raised over $8,500 on November 12 at our annual Christmas Auction.

“We are thankful for the support of the community to make our event such a success”, from the Chair of Fundraising, Kerry Jarvi, who was our MC for the evening and assisted by past governor of the Soroptimist International of the Americas (SIA) Eastern Canada Region, Shirley McCoy. The grand prize, called Pearls & Passion, included a weekend getaway, theatre tickets, a gift basket to set the mood and an 18″ strand of pearls. There were over 200 attendees at the new venue, St Thomas parish hall in Waterdown, jockeying for the winning numbers. One of the first time attendees, a local resident of Waterdown, said that she had the best time in ages. “I had no idea what to expect and I didn’t quite get it until we got started but count me in for next year. I didn’t realize how much I had needed a fun night out and definitely want to come again.”

Thank you to the troop of extremely polite and enthusiastic young boys who volunteered from the local high school to hand out door prizes and sell last minute tickets for a Wheel Barrow of Wine, also known as Santa’s Sleigh of Sippin’ Sauce, which contained 24 bottles of white and red wine plus a shiny red wheelbarrow donated by Weeks of Waterdown. The winning ticket was drawn by Past Governor, Margaret MacRea. Congratulations to the winner – our very own Nancy Davidson of SI-DAF. 

We would especially like to thank all of Our Generous Donors and we encourage you to ‘Support the Businesses that support our Community’ (listed in alphabetical order):

Flamborough: Blanca’ Aesthetics, Bonnets & Bags, Boston Pizza, Curves, The Cutting Edge, Flamboro Mix & Brew House, Flamboro Springs, Kathy Holmes, PartyLite Gifts by Randi Warner, Polar Bay Wines, Runners Den, Vintage Performance & Restoration, Weeks Home Hardware
Dundas: Collins Brewhouse
Ancaster: J. Oulton & Associates, Nancy Davidson – Freedom 55 Financial, Renew You, The Spa at Ancaster, Village Tree House Child Care
Hamilton: A Clean Break, Bloom N Gales, Curves, Lucky Day Nursery, La Petite Spa, Tourism Hamilton, Hamilton Police Services, Hamilton Fire Services, H2H Entertainment
Burlington: The Natural Way, Women Who Excel
Brantford: Sanderson Centre, Bodega Inn
Mississauga: Tree of Life Canada
Personal donor: Margaret Robertson, K.T.- a Red Hat Enthusiast, Helen Bradley, Kim Gordon and all the Ladies of Soroptimist International of Dundas Ancaster Flamborough!

Nova Scotia Greens

This year we have beautiful Christmas wreaths and centre pieces available for sale. For more information, please contact Sandy Gray at Week’s of Waterdown before November 12, 2008:

sandy.weeks@whgroup.ca or 905.517.5733

Click here to view our flyer >>

Rose’s Dish Cloths raised over $200

Rose Bayley is knitting dish cloths! In fact Rose is knitting dish cloths by the dozens and she is doing it so the Soroptimist International club of Dundas/Ancaster/Flamborough (whom her daughter Pauline is a member) can sell them to help less fortunate women & children in our community. The Soroptimist club will not only use the money for that cause; they will also make a contribution to the Alzheimer’s Society in honour of Rose!

You see, Rose; who is from London, England has for some time now been showing signs of the onset of Alzheimer’s. Her family first became aware of Rose’s changing situation about a year ago. Her daughter Pauline and husband David had moved to Ontario with their children several years ago and Pauline could now hear the difference in long distance telephone conversations with her mum. Each time the family visited England they would further notice marked changes in her abilities; but Pauline’s father John, Rose’s husband of 59 years was managing. Sadly in November of 2007 John passed away suddenly and when Pauline and family returned to England for her father’s funeral she realized that her mum could not stay there alone. So they brought Rose to Canada to stay with her only daughter Pauline & her family. In an attempt to help Rose rebuild her life Pauline suggested her mum might like to rekindle her interest in knitting – from that day on she hasn’t stopped!

Now you may be wondering what makes Rose’s dishcloths so famous? It is more how knitting them makes Rose feel; it gives her purpose to her day and a sense of accomplishment that she has been lacking since Alzheimer’s came to call. Even with the controlling effects of Alzheimer’s Rose can do something important to help other women & children here in her new community!

May Charity BBQ

The Soroptimist girls were out with aprons and tongs at Weeks of Waterdown yesterday. We had sausages, hotdogs and Rose’s Famous Dishcloths for sale!

Motown Night

Russ Weil and his band joined us for the Magic of Motown on Thursday April 24 at the Scottish Rite, 4 Queen St, Hamilton. The evening was Cabaret Style with dessert and coffee plus a cash bar.

We sold 81 tickets and raised over $1,000 in the raffle ticket sale.
Thank you to everyone who attended!

Walk for Memories at Lime Ridge Mall

A number of SI DAF’ers attended the Alzheimer’s Walk for Memories at Lime Ridge Mall.

Flamborough Chamber of Commerce (FCC) members Soroptimist International of Dundas/Ancaster/Flamborough recently attended the Alzheimer’sWalk for Memories at Lime Ridge Mall in Hamilton on January 27/08. Immediately before the walk the SI/DAF teamtook the opportunity to have a photo taken with HamiltonMayor Fred Eisenberger and Honorary Chairperson and Mistress of Ceremonies with CHCH TV news anchor Connie Smith (front row, centre).

The SI/DAF team raised over $2,000 for the event through generous sponsorships by friends and co-workers. Representing the Soroptimist were club members (back row) Pauline Hardcastle with her mom Rose Bayley, Susan Hooper, Sandra Gray (FCC past president and top fundraiser for the team), Mayor Fred Eisenberger, Margaret Kovacs & ‘a friend of Soroptimist’ JeanMasi. Front row is Barbara McCoy, Connie Smith and Shirley McCoy who is also past SI Eastern Canada Region Governor.

The event at Lime Ridge raised over $17,000.00 for the Alzheimer’s Society.Thank you to all those who sponsored this event or another one in their community!

Walk for Memories

Loonie-Tooney Auction at the Marquis Gardens

We would like to thank Our Corporate Donors for sponsoring the wine on the table tonight: Weeks Home Hardware, Lucky Day Nursery & J. Oulton & Associates. We had over 200 attendees and raised more than $8,900 that will be used to support women and girls in our community.

We’d also like to thank the following donors of gifts & auction items; we encourage you to ‘Support the Businesses that support our Community’ (listed in alphabetical order):

Flamborough: Artistic Spaces, CIA Computing, Curves, Flamboro Mix & Brew House, Flamboro Springs, PartyLite Gifts by Randi Warner, Langford’s IDA, Royal Coachman Restaurant, Vintage Performance & Restoration, Weeks Home Hardware
Dundas: Curves, Highland Hair Design, Presents with Design, Rotating Equipment Technology,
Ancaster: Ancaster Embroidery & Creations, Ancaster Jewelers, Balance Fitness, Celli’s Restaurant, Details Tanning, Fortino’s of Ancaster, Glendale Motors, Hanley’s Shoe Shoppe, J. Oulton & Associates, Passion for Living, Kari’s of Ancaster, Nancy Davidson – Freedom 55 Financial, Pauline’s Craft Studio, Supreme Trophies, Swiss Chalet, Tranquility Bases B&B, Tranquil Touch, The Meadows Long Term Care, Village Tree House Child Care
Hamilton: A Clean Break, La Petite Spa, Lucky Day Nursery, Pooles Harley Davidson, Top Hat Apparel
Burlington: Active Green & Ross, Bonnets & Bags, Earth Works Pottery, Health for Life Chiropractic, Hi End Fitness, Lori Kendall RMT., Marilyn Belleghem and Quest Publishing, Time to Get Organized, Matrix Automotive, Women Who Excel, Spa Sensations
Brantford: Sanderson Centre, Rendezvous Fine Dining, Best Western Hotel
Binbrook: The Little Binbrook Theatre
Oakville: The Corporate Clothier
Caledonia: Sylvia’s Flowers, Markham: Devine & Associates
Mississauga: Tree of Life Canada, Global Wealth Trade
Vancouver: DJ Pets
Personal donors: K.T.- a Red Hat Enthusiast, as well as all the ladies of Soroptimist International of Dundas Ancaster Flamborough!