BY APRIL ANTONIAZZI
for northern life
If handsome men dressed to the nines serving you a delectable meal is your dream come true, then look no further because the United Way has found a way to make your dream come true while raising money for a good cause.
The third annual Be a Goddess Ladies Charity and Auction Dinner allows women to sit back, relax and be pampered.
The aim of the evening is to give women the time to enjoy the advantages of being a woman, notably getting pedicures and having a girl's night out, but on a slightly larger scale than usual.
"The objective is to enable women to enhance their lives by raising funds," said Michelle Mailloux, the event chair.
The money raised from the evening will go to help women's programs and services in the Greater Sudbury community. Any not-for-profit group providing services for women with a registered charitable number will be able to put in a proposal for funding.
The homelessness and shelter programs that received funding from last year's event will be announced at this year's goddess night.
All women need the opportunity to rediscover their importance, Mailloux explained.
Massages, manicures and other spa treatments will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. These services are very popular and there usually are line-ups, which is why the evening begins at 3 pm and runs till 10 pm.
While the spa treatments are attractive, some women may find the three-course meal served by good-looking men in suits to be the highlight of the evening.
It's a bit of a twist, explained Mailloux, since women are usually the ones doing the cooking and serving.
Hors d'oeuvres will be served throughout the night and a fashion show featuring merchandise from local boutiques will entertain the crowd. Women attending the charity dinner will be able to bid on the gift certificate from the boutiques, as well as other items as part of a silent auction. There will be door prizes, raffles and surprises throughout the night, promised Mailloux.
While the United Way has not set a specific monetary goal, Mailloux has her own.
"I want to make more than last year," she said smiling.
Last year's event attracted more than 400 people and raised over $36,000 for women's homelessness and shelter programs in the area.
Tickets to the event are a good way to reward staff or to get together with girlfriends for a night out, explained Mailloux. And if you're stuck for a Mother's Day present, this may be the answer to your shopping.
The event takes place May 18 at the Caruso Club and is open to women of all ages. Tickets cost $50 each or $450 for a table of nine and can be purchased from the United Way by calling 560-3330.
