Soroptimist International of Kawartha Lakes hosts first AutumnFest October 4th

Nancy Newton Soroptimist International of Kawartha Lakes

KAWARTHA LAKES: While most of us spent this past few months planning and enjoying our summer vacations, Soroptimist members were planning much further ahead, October.

Soroptimist International of Kawartha Lakes members have been busy planning a new fundraising initiative they hope will bring in the funds needed to support their programs for women and girls.

People may remember the successful annual Snowflake Gala hosted by the club for 9 years. After the pause caused by the pandemic, the club decided to try something new and is hosting AutumnFest. The event will take place at the Ramada by Wyndham on Friday, October 4th at 5:30 p.m. and offer attendees an international dinner catered by Castle John’s featuring foods from Italy, Greece, India and the Caribbean. There will be Loonie and Silent Auctions, great music for dancing and listening, a free photo booth and a cash bar. Bring your spouse, partner, friends or come on your own and make new friends.

The door prize will be a free week-long rental of a houseboat to cruise the Trent-Severn, a prize valued at more than $1,000 provided by our lead sponsor Egan Houseboat Rentals. The draw takes place at 10 p.m., and the winner must be present to claim their prize.

“This event is incredibly important to the club,” said President Bonnie Darling. “It is through community support at events like AutumnFest that Soroptimist International of Kawartha Lakes is able to offer programs which support women and girls in our community.” For example, since 2011, the club has provided $29,000 in Live Your Dream Education and Training Awards to 26 women. Over the last three years, the club has offered Dream it Be It Career Planning for girls in Grades 9 and 10 at two local high schools. The award-winning Girls of Action and Leadership program started in 2017, has helped girls in Grades 4 to 6 learn how to deal with life issues and develop an interest in physical activity. The Soroptimist Positive Influence Award has recognized the leadership of 48 girls since its start-up in 2012.

Tickets for the event are $75 per person and are available at Kent Florist and Hill’s Florist in Lindsay and Big Event in Fenelon Falls. Tickets can also be purchased online at EventBrite bit.ly/autumnfest-tickets.

Soroptimist International of Kawartha Lakes is a volunteer service organization for women dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls in local communities and throughout the world. Founded in 2011, the club is part of Soroptimist International, where more than 65,000 Soroptimists in 118 countries and territories contribute time and financial support to community-based projects that benefit women and girls. The Kawartha Lakes Club is a registered charity.