Unger keynote speaker at IWD dinner
Celebrating, honouring, learning for youth
With two weeks left before the 11th annual International Women’s Day dinner, the Yamaska Valley
Optimist Club is fine-tuning all the details that are inherent to their popular event that is the major fundraiser to support youth services in the area.
The International
Women’s Day dinner is slated for March 3 at
Auberge West Brome at 6 p.m.
There has been a switch in format and location.
The dinner is going to be held at Auberge West
Brome with a menu of ginger-f lavoured cream of carrot with a hint of coriander soup, grilled
Portuguese chicken with new potatoes and candied onions, dessert — creamy crunch hazelnut chocolate “dolche de lèche” caramel. If there are any vegetarians, please let the organizers know in advance.
To have landed Iris Unger, executive director of YES (Youth Employment Services), is a coup for the club and bears relevance to the club’s mission since their slogan is “Bringing out the best in kids.” The YVO knows that Unger will bring a wealth of information when it comes to community development and support services for youth. As executive director of YES, a non-profit organization that helps youth to find employment, she carries 25 years of experience working in areas of economic development, entrepreneurship, employment, women’s issues, and special
needs. She has targeted issues around poverty, education, and immigration.
Dovetailing with the theme of youth, the YVO have opted to recognize the enormous work of three local community organizations whose teams’ day-today efforts are centred on giving children and youth optimal tools and guidance to go forward in a healthy and productive trajectory. They will be Mains dans la main, the Brome-missisquoi Youth Foundation, and the Lac-brome Optimist Club. It’s a chance to celebrate their efforts and learn about the services they offer and the opportunities they provide. Going to the dinner supports them in their work. It might also inspire others to get involved with one of the organizations. Lenore Dudley, past president of the club who is involved with organizing the annual dinner, says that “the evening is rounded off by a great purse auction, a delicious meal, and of course, the opportunity to support the Yamaska Valley Optimist Club and all it’s wonderful projects. An opportunity not to be missed.” There’s place for 120 people and they are counting on it to be a full house. If you don’t have a full table they will pair you up with others.
Reservations can be made by contacting Alka Mohapatra at 450-931-1111 or email Mohapatra at: alka080611@yahoo.ca. The tickets are $60 each.