11th Annual Royal Gala & Silent Auction

7:00 - 10:00 pm, November 04, 2009, Lethbridge Lodge

It is with pleasure that Royal LePage South Country Real Estate continues our commitment through the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation to host our 11th Annual Royal Gala at the Lethbridge Lodge on Wednesday, November 4th, 2009. All funds raised are donated to YWCA Harbour House Women's Emergency Shelter to support services for women and children escaping abusive relationships. For 11 years, the contributions made through the Royal LePage Foundation have helped thousands of women and children in our Southern Alberta community. Royal Gala funding is saving lives and giving light where there has been darkness.

The event is well attended by over 200 individuals and receives approximately $7,000 in donated media coverage annually. Over the years, the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation has raised and contributed $282,277 to YWCA HarbourHouse. Royal LePage South Country continues to donate their administrative support and agent time to this cause - making it possible for all money raised to go directly to YWCA Harbour House where it is needed most.

Unfortunately, the need for emergency services is strong, as evidenced by the usage April 1, 2008 – March 31, 2009.

Shelter		359 women and 254 children
Crisis calls		1,487
Information calls		5,726
Drop ins		193 women
Outreach		1,068 women and 971 children
Reported Sexual assault/abuse		91

Project Child Recovery has been fully funded by the Foresters for approximately 17 years. This program is offered in Lethbridge, Blairmore and Fort Macleod. Recently the program design was updated and copyrighted by the YWCA Lethbridge and District. Copies of our Project Child Recovery manual have been purchased by YWCA Yellowknife and the Janeway Family Centre in Newfoundland. Interest in offering Project Child Recovery has been expressed by agencies in North Carolina and across North America.

We are hoping we can count on your support to make this year's event as successful. In the near future, one of our volunteers may contact you to ask for a donation. This can be an item to be auctioned or an enhancemnt to the evening, such as wine or a monetary donation. Your contribution directly supports the valuable work of YWCA Harbour House in dealing with the impact of family violence. Charitable receipts will be available through the YWCA Lethbridge and District.

For more information or to make a donation please call Royal LePage South Country Real Estate Ltd. 403-327-2111

Sincerely,

Royal LePage Shelter Foundation Committee - Lethbridge
Leslie Hatfield, Gerry Brook, Pat Kruse, Sylvia Dioszegi