The Yamaska Valley Optimist Club (YVOC) is bringing back two of its fundraisers in May to raise money in support of its mission to help the youth of Brome-Missisquoi - with a few changes in store.<\/p>\n
All proceeds raised from the fundraisers will go towards funding some of the activities and necessities for the three youth group homes in Cowansville, the local elementary schools, including Knowlton Academy, St-\u00c9dourd, Sutton School, and Heroes\u2019 Memorial, Massey-Vanier High School - English, and more.<\/p>\n
To celebrate Mother\u2019s Day, the non-profit organization will be selling bouquets of ten multi-coloured tulips from Brome Lake-based florist Fleurissima. The bouquets will be put together by Debbie Hornig from Fleurissima and members of the YVOC.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was more for International Women\u2019s Day, but this year we decided to move our International Women\u2019s day more towards Mother\u2019s Day, a dual celebration. So it\u2019s in the month of May this year,\u201d she noted.<\/p>\n
After a hiatus, the YVOC is bringing back its fashion show fundraiser, combined with an English-tea style luncheon. Local stores will have their clothes on display and Brome Lake fashion designer Melissa Pratte will show off her creations after studying fashion design in Italy. Participating stores include Mysterio (Bromont), Cycle Campus Sutton, Boutique Rococo, Iris Setlakwe, Windrush, Friperie Caro-Lu, and Friperie Karma.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a great event, we raised money, people had fun, they enjoyed themselves. So we decided to get back to doing a fashion show. The fashion show was organized by one of our members Diane and the local stores are participating,\u201d she said. \u201cThe models are mostly club members, but we also have a few people from the community who are modelling as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to Davis, all proceeds raised will go to the YVOC\u2019s \u201cglobal fund.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOur global fund is involved with the two elementary schools here in Knowlton. One of the projects that is going to be happening this summer is there is going to be a sailing club for some of the grade six students that are interested. We\u2019re not supporting the whole activity, but we\u2019re putting funds toward that activity,\u201d she explained. \u201cThen we have the backpack program at Knowlton Academy for kids that don\u2019t have what they need to be at school. We provide them the pencils, the paper, the duo-tangs, to allow them to participate and do well in school.\u201d<\/p>\n
The global fund also supports the breakfast\/snack program at Sutton School and Heroes\u2019 Memorial, scholarships provided to Massey-Vanier High School students, and more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re both great fundraisers so if people could support them that would be great. That way we can continue doing the activities with the youth of Brome-Missisquoi and helping them out. Also, if you\u2019re interested in becoming a member we\u2019re always looking for members,\u201d Davis emphasized.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The YVOC\u2019s fundraisers are sponsored by Knowlton & Co, Sant\u00e9 Dentaire Lac Brome, Laborex, \u00c9quipe Financi\u00e8re Banque Nationale, McGale, Charpentier, Cot\u00e9, and Lois Hardacker Royal LePage au Sommet Knowlton.<\/p>\n