$50K raised for mental health

By: Melissa Iarusso and Mamdouh Elchami

Fifty-thousand dollars has been raised in support of mental health and complex continuing care.

The Do Good Divas held their seventh annual handbag gala Oct. 25 at the Caboto Club in Windsor. Diva Delights: A Girls Night out in Handbag Heaven sold out two months prior to the event. A sold-out event allowed 1,200 women to attend supporting the Divas’ pledge in support of Windsor Regional Hospital’s Tayfour and Malden Park campuses.

The Do Good Divas are a non-profit corporation that holds a signature handbag event to raise money for local health initiatives. In addition to the grand donation the Divas donate  $1,000 grants to 10 smaller organizations like the Hiatus House, Salvation Army and Windsor/Essex County Humane Society. The Divas recently unveiled their new rehabilitation gym at the Tayfour Campus in June. The money raised from the 2010 campaign contributed to the renovations and equipment in the gym for patients who are recovering from joint-related surgeries. In 2011 the Divas raised more than $45,000, purchasing five state-of-the-art intravenous pumps for Windsor Regional’s cancer centre.

They kicked off their 2012 fundraising season in May when they began collecting handbag donations within Windsor and Essex County.

Gale Simko-Hatfield, founder and president of the Do Good Divas, said the most important aspect of her event is that the money raised is staying in the community and helping health initiatives.

“The fact that 1,200 women attend this event and have fun is just as important as well. We’re at capacity,” Simko-Hatfield said. “With our pledge we’re supporting two causes. Half of the money will furnish a room for life skills training at the new mental health hospital and the other half will refurbish a family lounge at the Malden Park continuing care facility.”

The evening featured dinner, dessert buffet, a silent auction with over 340 purses, live auction, fashion show, raffle and much more. Handbags were donated by celebrities, designers, retailers and members of the community. The 60 handbags filled with gift certificates and prizes sold within the first eight minutes of the event.

CBC anchor Susan Pedler and AM800’s Karen Hall hosted the event. Ward 7 Coun. Percy Hatfield auctioned off five celebrity handbags raising thousands of dollars.  Celebrity actress Reba McEntire and singer Carrie Underwood donated handbags this year along with Canadian Olympians Amanda Reason and Mary Spencer.

“This event is always a lot of fun,” Hatfield said. “When auctioning I always try to add excitement in the room because it gets the bids going. It’s rewarding to get the bids to go higher because all the money is going toward a great cause. I think as a councilor the more you are seen doing community events the more people appreciate the work you actually do for the city. I’ve always enjoyed getting out and doing this.”

Pedler said she was in the founding group of divas and is very passionate about the event.

“What I like about this organization is that every penny we raise tonight at our event stays in our community. That was really important to us,” Pedler said. “We fund a lot of health related initiatives to make a difference in our community. The spirit of giving back in the community is what I love about it. And then the other thing I love is people go home with purses, cake and some people go home with $1,000 shopping spree to Devonshire Mall and someone else will go home with a wine fridge. There’s a lot of fun elements that empower women to spend within our community.”

Miss Canada Jaclyn Miles participated in the event by donating a handbag and modeling in the fashion show.

“Community is really what makes our nation strong,” said Miles. “Each community is what puts together pieces of Canada. So really the best way that I can give back to the people that always helped me out is by helping out the community and making it stronger and safer. This is a great cause and I’m really happy to be able to support it.”

Simko-Hatfield said she is expecting calls the following day of the event from women looking to reserve tickets for the 2013 gala. The donation will be presented to Windsor Regional Hospital next year.