An upcoming Women’s Wellness Event two goals: to inspire its audience and raise money for an important cause.
Newmarket’s Timeless Harmony Salon and Spa owner Katie Gilligan organized the event for the first time in 2020, raising funds for the Women’s Centre of York Region, which offers support and services to women experiencing abuse. The virtual fundraiser returns this year on March 8 from 7 to 9 p.m., as the need has risen throughout the pandemic.
Gilligan said they were inspired to do something when they heard that the centre’s funding had been impacted by the pandemic. With many major fundraising events put on hold, she said the centre was hit hard.
“Every little thing that has happened in this pandemic has hurt them a lot,” she said. “They are really relying on people like us.”
The event will feature three speakers: Newmarket-Aurora MPP and Deputy Premier Christine Elliott, Jenn McLachlan of Cachet Supper Club, and business strategist, author and TV host Anita Heidema, who will each share their own stories and successes.
“They’re all inspirational stories about how they got to where they are and some of them really struggled. It’s showing people that it’s possible to hang on. We’ll all get through this,” Gilligan said.
Starting off the evening will be a speaker from the Women’s Centre, who will talk about the services provided.
The centre said that domestic violence is up 22 per cent in York Region alone since the start of the pandemic.
“It’s heartbreaking because you don’t have the funds to get these women out. It’s heartbreaking to sit there and listen to them but not be able to do as much as you normally could,” Gilligan said about why this event is so important.
Tickets are for sale online for $50, and Gilligan said she wants to raise $5,000 through ticket sales. She said she also wants to raise another $1,000 through an online auction that she’s currently collecting items for.
While it’s branded as a Women’s Wellness Event, Gilligan said anyone can attend.
“I think the messaging, whether it’s women or men, it’s motivational. Men go through hard times, too, and everybody’s struggling right now so the messaging itself will be incredibly motivating,” she said.
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