There's one week left before St. Albert gets another Red Affair and it looks to be another blockbuster sell-out affair.
The annual fundraiser that bills itself as a celebration of women still has a few tickets left, but organizer and event co-ordinator Erin Rauf predicts they won't last long.
In previous years, the gala has raised money to support an ovarian cancer charity as well as the Heart and Stroke Foundation. This year, proceeds will be split between St. Albert Stop Abuse in Families (SAIF) and Edmonton's WIN House (Women in Need).
Otherwise unaffiliated with any of the above organizations, Rauf explained that she's just one person who wants to make a difference.
"I enjoy doing event planning and organizing. I have lots of good ideas and I just thought I could offer those elements to something that could do some good."
There will be a slate of interesting speakers on the bill. Deborah DiGiuseppe will speak about staying fit while maintaining a busy career, Lisa Pouteaux will talk about keeping your mind clear and focused, and former Edmonton Journal editor Chris Standring will talk about what she calls the lazy garden.
The event starts at 5 p.m. on March 24 at the St. Albert Curling Club. Tickets are $50 each and can be purchased through the website at www.aredaffair.ca. If paying by cheque or cash then contact Erin at 780-239-9127 or via email at [email protected]. Each ticket also gets the attendee dinner and a drink plus a swag bag and an entry into the draw for a door prize.
There will also be a 'Big Bling' raffle with only 75 tickets available at $40 each. Proceeds from this will go to support SAIF. Other raffle tickets will go to support WIN House.
For more information about the charities, please visit www.stopabuse.ca and www.winhouse.org.
Animal awards seeking nominations
While picking up those bags of dog chow and kitty litter, why not take a minute to nominate your favourite pet hero?
Global Pet Foods is once again looking for upstanding citizens who do outstanding work in the field of humane treatment of homeless animals. They're called 'pet heroes' according to the promotion, and they are all worthy of public recognition.
"The incredible animal caregivers we meet during our annual Show Us Your Heart fundraiser inspired us to create the Heroic Heart Pet Service Award. They are true unsung heroes who work tirelessly to love, care and protect pets in need," said Jim Walker, president of the store chain.
There are two weeks left before nominations close on March 31. Nominate your pet hero for the 2012 Heroic Heart Pet Service Award. Global is looking for animal shelter and rescue volunteers who work tirelessly to help homeless pets find forever homes.
Four award winners will be selected – with one recipient from each region of Canada: Western Canada, Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada. Winners will be announced in April, and each will receive a spa day and a one-year supply of Hill's Science Diet Pet Food to be donated to their shelter of choice.
Applicants can nominate a pet hero by filling out a ballot including a brief story (250 words or less) on how the nominee has demonstrated outstanding care and compassion to homeless pets. These nominations can be made online through www.facebook.com/GlobalPetFoods or in person at the St. Albert store located at #100, 1 Hebert Road. Call the store at 780-458-7775 for more information.
