Baring it all for charity

Dr. Herbert A. Bruce Chapter IODE
News Release

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The Dr. Herbert A. Bruce Chapter IODE is counting down to the unveiling of their 75th Anniversary fundraising project, a “Calendar Girls” – style calendar featuring tasteful, semi-nude photos of its members and special guests.

The $18 calendars, which will go on sale at Northgate Shopping Centre July 4th, cover 16 months, from September 2008 through December 2009.

The project features artistic black and white portraits by photographer Ross Nichols of North Bay, who has donated his time to the project. The finished product, which will be produced by Sofa Communications, is envisioned not only as a calendar, but also as a high-quality art piece and keepsake.

Chapter members ranging in age from 26 to 89, as well as national and provincial IODE Presidents, are the models. A special guest, humorist and First Lady of North Bay Patty Fedeli, will also be featured.

Sales of the calendar will be used to fund an annual Education Bursary for current and former residents of Nipissing Transition House, a shelter for women in crisis and their children. The
Chapter has a long-standing relationship with the shelter, for whose residents it has provided comfort items for almost 20 years.

“Our 75th Anniversary project exemplifies IODE’s mission and vision,” said Project Coordinator
Laura Nichols. “One bursary will make all the difference to a woman or young lady who takes the opportunity to upgrade her education or attend post-secondary school…It can be the start of a new future for her and her children.”

The project is being funded entirely through donations, with all proceeds going directly to the Education Bursary Fund. Donations totaling $5,000 have already been pledged, and individual and corporate sponsors are being sought to complete project financing.

A Gold Sponsorship of $1,000 entitles the donor to an exclusive month in the publication, on which page their name and logo will appear. Silver Sponsors, donating $500 each, share a month as co-sponsors, and four Bronze sponsors share a month for $250 each. Smaller donations will be listed as “Friend of IODE” on the calendar’s back cover. All donors receive receipts entitling them to a tax deduction in the full amount of the donation, and will be fêted at an October 2008 wine and cheese art show featuring the calendar photos.

“Donations of all amounts are joyfully accepted!” says Nichols. “Every amount gets us closer to our goal.”

To support the project, contact Project Coordinator Laura Nichols at 495-9545 or Nipissing Transition House Executive Director Janine Lafreniere at 476-2569. For more information, visit the Chapter’s Web site at www.northbayiode.ca.

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