"SAY YES TO THE DRESS" by Helma Swinkels, Hospice Volunteer February 2010

It was Saturday morning and Gail was busy making little sandwich rolls in the kitchen of Ty Watson House. I had asked for some heart shaped cookies and a few sandwiches to serve at today’s “Bride to Be Tea”, where we were about to sell the beautiful gowns donated to the Hospice Society by the Gallery Bridal Boutique in Prince George.

When I came in the kitchen that morning I could not believe what Gail had prepared. Besides the cookies there were pretty little cheesecake torts neatly lined up in a box and little pitas and small sausage rolls were filling another larger box. As she finished the sandwich rolls, I managed to steal one of them from the platter on the counter. Sure enough they didn’t only look yummy, but tasted great. Gail apologized she was late, causing my jaw to drop. Looking at all these delights and the decorations she had made I wondered at what time in the night she had gotten up to prepare it all.

Volunteers and staff at Ty Watson House continue to amaze me with their commitment and efforts for this work of hospice. They go that extra bit further to make things the best they can be. Gail had wanted this fundraiser to be as successful as possible and the result was a delightful buffet with a variety of mouth watering little appetizers.

At Deb’s Fashions the store was filled with rich white and ivory fabrics as I carried the tasty treasures to put them on the table where coffee and tea were waiting to be served. But the center pieces of the day were these absolutely gorgeous dresses waiting for the future brides to choose the perfect wedding dress.

That afternoon young women came with their moms and friends and turned our fundraiser into an event of laughter and happy excitement. There were a lot of dresses to choose from, there was a perfect fit and style for most of them and many of them left the store with a beautiful dress and a smile on their face.

Just as important, those who said “yes to the dress” for one of the most important days of their lives were pleased to be able to contribute to the Hospice Society and Ty Watson House. We received many hugs and thank yous for a memorable and fun time in finding their special dress, a dress even more special for its purpose beyond being a beautiful wedding dress.

At the end of the day we sat down with our feet up and a much appreciated $3,000 to go towards hospice programs. We were tired and happy at the same time. This was a very satisfying fundraiser. That important day for each of these young women, now helps to provide some support that will make the end of somebody else’s life a little better and ease the sadness of loved ones left behind. It is so simple, beautiful and it is part of life. Each and every one of them is going to be a lovely bride on their wedding day, and that is partly because choosing a dress from our fundraiser makes them feel especially good.

And we felt good too. It was a great start of a new year of fundraising for the important service the Alberni Valley Hospice Society provides in our community. This was a win-win fundraiser and now we will do our best to come up with more of these. There are still some bridal dresses available and we still have many dresses left for girls who want to feel pretty when grad time comes. They don’t cost a fortune and they can give quality of life to others. These dresses can be worn with pride, because the decision to wear one will raise funds for a community service important to all of us. It takes a special young woman to realize that. All dresses are at Deb’s Fashions on Johnston Road.

For more information on Ty Watson House and the Alberni Valley Hospice Society you can phone 250.723.4478 or visit our website:
www.albernihospice.ca