Is there a better way to sweeten a night than by an almost endless variety of desserts? Only by adding good entertainment and charity components to it.
And that’s exactly what Choose Life Ministry, an organization that helps young women in difficult situations, did last Saturday.
Their Dessert Fundraiser that took place at the Estevan Legion Hall offered musical entertainment by Curtis and Bonnie Szakacs and Family.
“Their music is unbelievably good, “ said Choose Life Ministry founder and director Shelley Boyes. “So people who came were royally entertained.”
But the main focus of the night was on desserts. And according to Boyes, they were delicious.
The homemade pies were auctioned off and also were a door prize.
“Frozen grasshopper chocolate mint was probably the most popular pie of the night. And then we had some Saskatoon pies and apple pies, all homemade desserts,” said Boyes.
A couple of raffles, live and silent auctions helped to raise some funds to support the ministry’s program.
“Our program offering is free of charge. It’s a six months residential program for young women. And the funds raised go to the operation of this program, so that allows the women to come free of charge,” explained Boyes.
Boyes started Choose Life Ministry in 2012 to establish a place for young women between the ages of 18 and 29 to find freedom from life-altering challenges including substance abuse, mental illness such as depression and anxiety, unexpected pregnancy, the effects of physical and/or sexual abuse, and challenges such as eating disorders and self-harm behaviours.
The program is holistic in nature and is seeking to treat the individual physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. It includes counselling, nutrition, fitness and healthy-living training, practical life skills education and implementation, and individualized education opportunities (both during the program and upon graduation, during the young woman’s transition phase back into community life).
One of the program graduates shared her story at the Dessert Fundraiser.
“She gave us a short testimony about the program and how it impacted her,” said Boyes.
The fundraiser overlapped with the St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation’s Festival of Trees Gala, which probably drew away quite a few people. Boyes said it was a great night, however with lower attendance they raised fewer funds than expected.
“It’s just a really difficult time for fundraising right now, and I understand that ours was not the only function that’s being held,” said Boyes, noting that when they were planning their event they didn’t know that it would fall on the same night with the hospital’s main fundraiser of the year.
If someone missed the Choose Life Ministry Dessert Fundraiser in Estevan, they still have a chance to enjoy a great event with all of its features, as the organizers are putting another one up. It will take place on Nov. 23 at 2 p.m. in Carnduff’s Energeo Centre.
Choose Life Ministry organizes the annual Canada Day celebration in Carnduff Centennial Park. They also operate with the Second Chance Thrift Store, with 100 per cent profits going towards the organization and the program.
“We are very appreciative of all the people that donate to the store. That helps generate revenue for our program,” said Boyes.
