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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, February 21, 2013 · 10 Flamenco fun will support Halton Women's Place By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Oakville residents are invited to have fun while supporting a great cause by attending the Halton Women's Place 18th annual fundraising gala event on Saturday, Feb. 23. The event, which will take place at the Oakville Conference and Banquet Centre, will feature a Spanish theme complete with flamenco guitar players, flamenco dancers and delicious Spanish food dishes. The annual fundraiser is essential to keeping Halton Women's Place running. The organization provides shelter and crisis services to physically, emotionally, financially and sexually abused women and their dependent children. Even in one of the safest communities in Canada, Halton Women's Place Development Manager Carm Bozzo said there is great need for the group's services. "Last year in Halton there were three deaths that were related to women abuse, including one in Oakville," said Bozzo. "Abuse happens in all communities. We are not immune to it. The fact that we need to house two shelters in Halton speaks volumes. We want to be able to support those women who need to use our services and support those kids," said Bozzo. Halton Women's Place can house 52 people with its shelters in Burlington and Milton. Over the course of a year, Bozzo said, about 1,000 women and 1,300 children make use of the organization's services. Bozzo said the fundraiser is also a good opportunity to connect with the community and make them aware of things like the group's public education program. "Ending violence against women is about educating our children and our youths about recognizing the signs of domestic violence, about healthy relationships, about media stereotypes and gender inequalities," she said. "We are doing this through our public education program, but we need to raise money to keep that program alive and to grow it so we can reach all the classrooms in Halton." Last year's fundraiser succeeded in raising around $83,000 for Halton Women's Place with Bozzo hoping to top that total this year. In addition to entertainment, an open bar and dinner the event will feature a silent auction. Some of the prizes include having Fooddiva.com star Chef Maribel come to your home and cook dinner for six people, a trip to Mexico and Justin Bieber concert tickets. The event will also see jewelry draws and more. Tickets for the event cost $150. The festivities kick off with a cocktail reception at 5:30 p.m., and dinner at 6:30 p.m. The Oakville Conference and Banquet Centre is located at 2515 Wyecroft Rd. For more information or to sponsor the event, donate an auction item or purchase tickets, call Bozzo at 905-332-1200 ext. 222 or e-mail cbozzo@ haltonwomensplace.com.