Report from Halifax-Cornwallis

Submitted by Sharon Ward  

December was a busy month for Halifax-Cornwallis as we tied up all the loose ends from Women of Excellence and geared up for Christmas. We sent a team of volunteers to a local church with Christmas cards and stamps to assist some of their mealtime clients in sending cards to their loved ones. In addition, we collected a pile of suitable items to fill Christmas stockings for these folks, many of whom are homeless.

(Shown at left: The members of Halifax-Cornwallis gathered together after the closing remarks at Women of Excellence for a photograph with the Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia, Her Honour Myra Freeman and her husband, His Honour Larry Freeman, centre, back row. Her Honour has been a supporter of Women of Excellence since taking office.

The club decided to retire our 5k Runaround after the 2005 event. The market was becoming tougher each year as more races popped up. It was time for a change, so we took a look at Calgary City Centre’s Girls’ Night Out and said “let’s do it!” We’d like to thank Calgary City Centre for their documents and encouragement, and for laying the groundwork for this event. We have a lot of elements in place now and it is promising to be an entertaining evening. We plan to sell out at 150 tickets plus club members and from the verbal response we’re getting, it sounds like we will. We have secured some good first year sponsorship (in kind) from local media and from some businesses in the area. Tickets are $40 and each attendee will receive 1/2 of a pair of stunning CZ earrings from a local jewellery store. They have to go to the store to get the mate, no purchase necessary. Good value to the attendees, brings people into the store, and provides us with another element to entertain and delight! We think this will grow as it did in Calgary, and it’s lots of fun!

(Shown at left: Halifax-Cornwallis purchased a table for the annual “Nutcracker Luncheon” in support of Phoenix Youth Programs and Symphony Nova Scotia in December.

Shown below, right: Phoenix Youth Programs’ traditional Tree Trimming took place at their Emergency Shelter this year. The tree was donated by Her Honour, Lieutenant-Governor Myra Freeman, who was on hand to help with the trimming. Halifax-Cornwallis President Patty Baxter presented PYP with our cheque for $40,000 from the Women of Excellence proceeds, along with a new decoration for the tree.)

We are also in the midst of planning our Live TV Auction in May. Last year we raised over $20,000 for Special Olympics Nova Scotia from this auction and we’re hoping to duplicate this result in 2006.

Finally, we’d like to welcome new members Carolyn MacDougall and Kelly Cotter to our club; and welcome back Linda Elliott.