A fundraiser for Special Olympics athletes will attract a different crowd, those who are as familiar with fashion as they are with the soccer field.
On Thursday, May 25, The B.C. Special Olympics, Sunshine Coast, will present a gala fashion event at The Club in Gibson's Landing to raise awareness and funds for the all-volunteer programs of the group and its participants. Local women's fashion stores in the area are chipping in to display their clothing and accessories shown by 14 models throughout the evening.
The Blue Magnolia in Molly's Lane, Cactus Casuals, Optionelle and Candy-O of Gibsons will be showing their outfits. Wow Creations will be modelling lingerie while Glamour Puss (both of the Trading Post in Gibsons) will show jewellery. Women are invited to check out the fashions, socialize with friends and test their luck in a raffle.
The group's priorities are fundraising and awareness, said organizer Nancy Hache. "We wanted to get women in the community together," she said. "They're the ones out there shaping the community." Normally, they sponsor a run, but thought it would be fun to make a change with an upper-end ladies' night.
There are 30-plus Special Olympic participants on the Coast, said Hache, who engage in swimming, soccer, softball and other sports. Sadly, the popular sport of bowling is finished for the time being with the demise of the Coast's last bowling alley. (The group is planning a bowling banquet in June with a dinner and dance in Sechelt.)
Not to be confused with the Paralympics for the physically disabled, Special Olympics B.C. has provided sports programs and competitions since 1980 for individuals with intellectual disabilities. All involved are volunteers, including the many coaches. The Coast joins 51 other communities in B.C. to offer year-round programs in a variety of sports. These opportunities give athletes far more than the physical benefits of improved health and ability. They allow participants to develop social skills, cultivate friendships, strive for and achieve goals and increase their self-esteem.
The fashion gala is on Thursday, May 25, starting at 7 p.m. Tickets must be bought in advance at Coast Books or Talewind Books for $25 per person, or call Hache at 604-885-1569. They include a drink and hors d'oeuvres, a sporting evening of fashion and a chance to win door prizes contributed by many local businesses.
