True North hosting spring high tea
By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The True North Society is hosting a high tea fundraiser and fashion show, April 26, at The Gathering Ranch in Strathmore.
The Bridgerton-inspired event aims to both raise money and awareness about the organization, as well as to offer a unique event for the community to come out and enjoy.
“It is going to be a spring-focused pre-Mother’s Day celebration. It is going to be everything you would visualize when you think about having an afternoon tea – dainty sandwiches and tea service in a floral-themed setting,” said Rochelle Mathieu, event planner and fundraising lead with the True North Society. “We have never done an event like this before and we really just wanted to do something that celebrated spring – it is kind of a symbol for hope and renewal of the season.”
In addition to the funds raised through ticket sales for the event itself, a silent auction will also be featured during the festivities. Items up for bidding largely center around self-care.
True North typically hosts three large-scale fundraising events throughout a given year, being a drag show, a golf tournament, and a winter gala. Additionally, several smaller events are typically assembled periodically in the interim.
Mathieu explained the team at True North hopes to see the new high tea become an annual celebration, which stemmed from a desire to host something different, try something new and celebrate the women in the community.
“All of the money that we raise goes towards all of our different types of programs. So, for instance, this money goes towards paying for our crisis line to be running 24/7. Last year, our impact report came out and those calls resulted in 20,412 minutes spent by crisis intervention workers providing direct services,” she said. “In those calls, that also included 1,079 shelter admission requests … our scope is quite large because we go as far north as Trochu, as far east as Drumheller and Hussar, and then as far south as Milo and Mossleigh, and then all the way to Chestermere.”
Mathieu added last year, True North was able to provide 386 hours of direct yoga programming, as well as 2,922 hours of child and youth programming, serving 192 kids.
True North is actively seeking sponsorship for the high tea event within the community for décor, as well as directly monetarily to support the event.
Additionally, the team is seeking models of all ages to participate in the fashion show. The team is highlighting their “Mom and Me” segment of the show where mothers and their children can walk the runway together.
Those who are interested are encouraged to contact Mathieu via email (rochellem@truenorthab.com) in order to participate.
Tickets for the event are already available for purchase. More information is available through the True North website.
The overall goal of the event is to raise between $5,000 and $7,000 through its various efforts.