BONNYVILLE - The Bonnyville Baptist Church hosted its annual Ladies’ Christmas in November. It was a night for women to gather around good food, beautiful decor, song, and inspirational speaking, all while raising money for the Days for Girls program that tackles menstrual inequality internationally.
The Nov. 28 event had a packed attendance, and local speaker Judy Dallaire gave a presentation entitled “Thank you for your Son,” which explored the Christmas story in detail.
The event has been happening for about 25 years, and was originally organized by Margaret Coulson, but was taken on this year by organizers Cindy Wiatr, Larisa De Freitas, and Terina Purdy.
“The main reason we hold this event is to present a message of hope, in the troubled times we are finding ourselves,” said Wiatr. “Kind of cliché, ‘Jesus is the reason for the season,’ but he is the reason we can have hope and peace.”
Wiatr said the event has seen many amazing speakers over the years with many different talents, gifts, and abilities, and that this year's speaker moved to Bonnyville a few years ago.
"She did a fantastic job. She has had many years of experience in women's ministries where she lived before in Peace River. She's had lots of experience speaking at retreats and ladies' events so we were very happy that she was willing to speak for our event this year,” said Wiatr.
Describing about the event, Wiatr explained, “We have women in our church volunteer to decorate a table, so each one is different, and every year the tables are stunning, like something out of a magazine.”
The event is free to attend, and there is a market at the venue where attendees can donate or make a purchase where proceeds go towards the Days for Girls program that tackles gender inequalities, limitations, and stigma surrounding menstruation.
Wiatr reports that they fundraised just shy of $4,000, and that members of the church meet every second Thursday to sew reusable menstrual products and put together kits for Days for Girls. De Freitas, and Claudette Popowich are the organizers for this initiative in Bonnyville, and Wiatr reports that there are also ladies in Mallaig doing the same work.
“When women gather together, and come to an event, we might as well fundraise for a women's issue. I think it’s a waste if we gather and don't do anything good with it. In the past we have supported other missions . . . but since this [sewing] group has started up at our church, we’ve been supporting them yearly,” said Wiatr.