Volunteers making a difference
Pictured above are the student volunteers, enjoying the evening’s photo booth. Front, from left, Sadie McAlear, Ceilidh McRae, and Laine McMillan; back, from left, Cami Tait, Emiley Norman, Sierra Woodside and Breigh Jackson.   Courtesy Kylie Zummach (Through My Lens) photo

Michelle O’Donohue
Record Contributor
FINCH – The Ladies’ Night Gala held at the Finch Community Centre on Nov. 17 was a night to remember, and the hosting committee, Sisters for Life, has now announced their fundraising total from the event. The committee hosted the gala as a fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society. Committee Chair Patsy Casselman advised The Record that the total amount raised (after expenses) was $16,525. Of that grand total, the Scotiabank matching funds campaign contributed $4,000. The committee will be requesting that a portion of the funds raised stays close to home to assist local residents battling cancer.

“Our Sisters for Life team will be requesting that 50 per cent of the funds raised will stay locally and go towards the Wheels of Hope Program. This program provides transportation to cancer patients needing a ride to appointments, treatments, etc. The other 50 per cent of the funds will be going towards funding cancer research,” Casselman noted.

The event was a huge success thanks in part to the many volunteers who offered up their time and talents to ensure that the night was a memorable one. One source of fundraising for the evening was the live auction that was bolstered by energetic volunteer auctioneer Chad Simmons, whose talent and wit, Casselman noted, contributed to the success of the event. Additionally, several student volunteers offered their time to the gala. Casselman stated, “The majority of them have already earned their necessary hours for school but they still wanted to come and be part of this amazing night. We are extremely happy to have them with us, they are a great help.”