Creative Tables is a fundraiser for the “Look Good Feel Good” foundation. The organization raises money for woman living with cancer. October is cancer awareness month.
Thursday, Oct. 17 was the event’s 12th year, held at Prairie Place in Arcola. The event is made special by the hard working and energetic co-ordinator and host, Darlene Olsen. From the moment one walks through the door you notice the effort that has gone into this night’s gala.
Arcola Daycare volunteers greeted the guests as they arrived. These volunteers contribute in every capacity to the night’s success, setting up the venue, bartending, reception, clean up and whatever needs to be done.
This year there were 41 sponsored tables, each one with a theme picked by the business or individual sponsor. The tables are all beautifully decorated.
As well as the sponsored tables, there was a silent auction consisting of 120 items donated by businesses and individuals from afar and locally. In addition, you could purchase a raffle ticket on a chance to win a trip to a Winnipeg Jets game.
At the start of the evening’s program, Darlene Olsen welcomed everyone, followed by Nancy Loire saying Grace. The meal was then served by the each table’s host. The meal consisted of a salad, chicken breast and a delicious lasagna. Each table is served a different dessert unique to the table’s theme. The table’s dessert I was seated at was “Chocolate Satisfaction” and the chocolate cake dessert was supreme. The strawberry Pavlova dessert on the next table looked very inviting as well.
Darlene Olsen returned to the podium after the meal and announced the evening’s guest speaker, who is a lady living with cancer, was unable to attend. The importance of the night is heartfelt by all!
Arcola Daycare board member, Jade Moore, spoke next and thanked all those that have volunteered and worked to make this evening a success.
Shae and Hannah Johnston took to the stage where they entertained the crowd with three songs, “Leaving on a Jet Plane”, “Homecoming Queen” and “Girl”. They received a zealous applause.
Ghislaine Carter then read a letter on behalf of Christine Legg, who was unable to be in attendance, and it explains the workings of the “Shoe Box Project”, which is a foundation that has raised nine million dollars for women in shelters that are victims of partner violence.
Kim Craig was next to speak on behalf of “Look Good Feel Good”. She is from Mary Kay’s corporate office in Mississauga, Ontario. She explained the importance of the foundation which provides support to 10,000 women each year. It is represented in 110 hospitals and cancer sites across Canada and has programming in 26 countries.
The evening had a large number of first-timers attending. This was an evening everyone attending will remember. It is attended by all ages and has raised $700,000 since its formation. This community event is most admirable and makes a difference to all those that it benefits.
