Optimism Place's 2021 Women of the Year Awards will be livestreamed virtually starting at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 15.
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Perth County’s Optimism Place Women’s Shelter is once again inviting area residents to celebrate the influential women in their lives by tuning into the 2021 Women of the Year Awards next week.
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Having won the Anne McDonnell Woman of Courage Award at last year’s virtual ceremony in recognition of her online retail business, The Chica Project, and its mission to give back to women-centred organizations around the world, Selena Jones has stepped in as Optimism Place’s fundraising and community engagement lead to help organize this year’s ceremony.
“Folks can register for free online and they’ll get a link to the livestream,” Jones said. “And if people can’t make it to the livestream on Oct. 15 at 6:30 p.m., then the show will also be available after, as well, to watch.”
Though organizers opted not to book a keynote speaker or entertainment this year, the rest of the evening, with awards being handed out across nine categories, will proceed as it would during an in-person ceremony, only those watching will be cheering on nominees from home.
As it does every year, this year’s ceremony will recognize local women who have been nominated for their community service, their work in education, their dedication to ally-ship and advocacy, their work as first responders or essential workers, their pursuit of excellence in agriculture, environmentalism, science and technology, their commitment to arts, culture and heritage, their work in business and the trades, and their dedication to sports, active living and wellness.
The Anne McDonnell Woman of Courage Award will also be presented again this year to honour a woman who has made a significant contribution to ending violence against women.
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“It has been absolutely amazing,” Jones said. “People have been sending in videos with their nomination forms, photos with their nomination forms. We’ve had multiple people nominating the same person and giving, really, the same in-depth look at the person’s life.
“It’s been really great to read through those and kind of get a feel for what people have been doing in our community, even during this tough time.”
Since tuning in to watch this year’s ceremony is free, Jones and the team of staff and volunteers at Optimism Place have launched a Women of the Year raffle. At a cost of $10 for one ticket or $20 for three, those who enter will be eligible to win a grand prize TV package, which includes a 75-inch television, a wall mount and warranty valued at $3,500.
The second-place draw will see the winner take home $1,000 in gift cards to small businesses in Stratford; the third-place prize is a Stratford Stay-cation package, including one night and breakfast at The Bruce Hotel, two Stratford Chocolate Trail passes and two Destination Stratford tote bags valued at $400; and the fourth-place prize is a Date-Night Essentials package, which includes dinner for two at the Stratford Chefs School, a crate of wine and a box of chocolates, all valued at $310.
The raffle will close at midnight on Oct. 14 and winners will be drawn at 5 p.m. Oct. 15, just before the awards ceremony begins. To purchase raffle tickets, email Jones at selena@optimismplace.com.
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All of the money raised through the raffle and through sponsorships of this year’s event will go back to support the women and children who rely on the services offered through Optimism Place.
“The money goes to supporting women and children in Perth County who are experiencing or have experienced domestic violence,” Jones said. “It can be as simple as buying children’s snacks for school, but it can also be buying a microwave for a woman who is moving out of the shelter – just really setting up people for success in the community after they leave their abusive situation.”
For more information and to register to watch the Women of the Year Awards ceremony on Oct. 15, visit www.optimismplace.com/woty-2021. Those who register online will also have the opportunity to pre-order an at-home taco kit for two from El Cactus Taco Shop in Stratford to enjoy before awards are handed out. At a cost of $60, $10 from each taco kit will go to support women and children through Optimism Place.
Optimism Place's annual Women of the Year Awards going virtual again - Woodstock Sentinel Review
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