BRUNCH, BID AND BOWL RETURNS TO SUPPORT WOMEN'S PLACE

AGENCY TO UNVEIL NEW LOGO, COLOURS AND NAME

Get ready to place bids, enjoy brunch and don't forget to grab your bowling shoes.

The best part of all the fun is that it's all in support of Women's Place of South Niagara.

The popular Brunch, Bid and Bowl event returns to Club Italia and Cataract Bowl in Niagara Falls on Saturday, March 4.

Amanda Braet, director of development and stewardship for Women's Place, said the event is not only a lot of fun, it's a major fundraiser the agency has depended on for many years.

Women's Place must raise $550,000 annually to continue offering free services including its shelter, legal assistance, housing help and a 24-hour-a-day crisis line to help women and children who are experiencing domestic violence.

"We have a $40,000 goal we hope to raise this year, but more importantly we are going to use this opportunity to celebrate International Women's Day (which is taking place on March 8). It's going to be a lot of fun," Braet said.

The event is an opportunity for participants to learn about the issue of gender-based violence and how Women's Place supports people affected by abuse. Braet said guests will get a first-hand look at changes that are in store for the agency.

"We are launching a new brand for Women's Place, with a new logo, new colours and a new name. This will be a good opportunity to join us as we launch a new brand that will set us up for years,

that is more in line with our values and inclusive of opportunities to grow as an agency," she said.

The festivities include Layne, the Auctionista, who has become a major draw to bring people in.

"Layne is our MC and host of the live auction. She's incredible and brings energy to the event. She takes the time to engage people," Braet explained.

Braet let out a chuckle, and added, "Layne has become famous that she's just known as Layne, the Auctionista. She's like Madonna; she doesn't need a last name."

The Club Italia portion of the event at 2525 Montrose Rd., begins at 9:30 a.m. and features a buffetstyle lunch, live and silent auctions and "heads and tails" activities in which people have a chance to win a $500 gift card donated by the Outlet Collection at Niagara.

Participants then head over to Cataract Bowl at 7906 Lundy's Lane at 2:30 p.m. for bowling.

Adults, youth and children are welcome to come together to support an important cause.

There is no registration fee for teams of six to eight players who reach the minimum fundraising goal of $800.

Individuals wishing to participate but don't have enough people to form their own team can still participate. They can register as a member of a "Bowling Buddies" team and the agency will find teammates for them.

People who don't want to take part in the bowling portion of the event can register for just the brunch, auctions and "heads and tails" portions of the day by paying $60 for adults and $40 for children under age nine.

For more information about this event or to register, visit the Women's Place website at www.womensplacesn.org.