Local resident Marie Blott still tears up when she speaks about her mother. Three years ago, 84-year-old Margerite Richard passed away, leaving behind a rich history of involvement in her New Brunswick community and in the lives of her 14 children.As Mother's Day rolled closer last year, she started to look for ways to keep her mother's memory alive. One night, after mulling over different ideas, she had a dream about a fundraiser. "It came into my head. I thought 'Mother's Day! Fundraiser!" Blott recalled.From there the annual Mother's Day Howe Sound Women's Centre Fundraiser was born.The beer and burger event takes place at the Cliffside Neighbourhood Pub with a silent auction, 50/50 draw and door prizes. During its first run last year, it raised $4,500 for the women's centre - a figure made possible by tremendous local business support."I didn't have a clue what I was doing," she admitted. She turned to women's centre board member Deidre Plaatjes for help. The two began canvassing businesses throughout town for support, often receiving more generosity than they had hoped for."It's just awesome what people do," said Blott. "We come out of stores and we try not to look shocked at how much they gave."Some of their silent auction items include gift certificates to hair salons, restaurants and museums. They also have a one-night stay and golf package at the new Executive Suites Garibaldi Springs Golf Resort.One of the greatest tokens of support has come from the Cliffside Neighbourhood Pub's Thelma Yamaguchi. When Blott asked to hold the event in the Valleycliffe bar, she offered to donate the food and take only $1 off the price of each $10 ticket to help with the costs of beer. The musical entertainment provided by country rock artist Jeffery James and the Bootleggers has also been offered free of charge and will be followed by karaoke.Plaatjes noted it is a mixed event that both men and women can enjoy. Since the women's centre recently updated its charter to include male members, she said fewer people are mistaking it as an "anti-men" establishment.Blott said her mother had a controlling man in her life and could have used a place like the women's centre. She said she would have been proud of her work to create the fundraiser.The second annual fundraiser takes place Saturday (May 10) at the Cliffside Neighbourhood Pub at 5 p.m. Tickets are $10 and are available at Billie's Bouquet and Mostly Books.
