Local charity Dress for Success Orillia and Barrie raised more than $46,000 at its Power of the Purse event on Jan. 29, surpassing their fundraising goal of $40,000.
There were over 100 ticket-holders registered for the event.
Those who purchased the limited VIP tickets received special deliveries of wine from PICNIC Tapas & Wine Bar in Orillia, a handmade charcuterie board from RM83 Designs in Innisfil, and charcuterie from Orillia’s Eclectic Café by Melanie Robinson Catering.
Dale and Charlie of KOOL FM hosted the evening, while local singer-songwriter Sammy gave beautiful musical performances for guests to enjoy.
Crystal Lacasse, a past client of Dress for Success Orillia and Barrie, spoke about her experience accessing the organization’s services and how it helped to transform her life and her children’s lives for the better.
Layne “The Auctionista” ran the live auction and the fund-a-need portions of the evening, resulting in the fund-a-need hitting its $20,000 goal.
Money raised from Power of the Purse will go toward Dress for Success Orillia and Barrie’s work with empowering local women to achieve economic independence. This includes providing clients with free professional clothing for new jobs and job interviews through their Professional Clothing Assistance program, and running their Breakfast Club and Professional Women’s Group programs, to enhance clients' job readiness and employment retention.
The organization serves women in Orillia, Barrie, and surrounding areas.
Save the date for Dress for Success Orillia and Barrie’s next event, Bring on the Bling. Bring on the Bling is their semi-annual online jewelry auction, happening April 28-30, 2022.
Dress for Success Orillia and Barrie will also be celebrating International Women’s Day on March 8, with the 2022 theme "Break the Bias". Follow along on Dress for Success Orillia and Barrie's Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and by joining their mailing list at orilliaandbarrie.dressforsuccess.org. Scroll to the bottom and click “join newsletter”.
