Salvaide Fundraiser - October 22, 2009

SalvAide 12th Annual Fundraising Cocktail and AuctionTHURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2009 Ukrainian Hall, 1000 Byron Avenue, Ottawa

Doors open at 6:30pm with Live Auction starting at 7pm Entertainment by: Esmeraldas de Colombiaand Carlos MorgadoTicket cost: 25$ before October 1535$ after that date

This year SalvAide is presenting its 12th Annual Cocktail and Auction, which has raised more than $145,000 toward the funding of projects for people in El Salvador since 1998.

Held at the Ukrainian Hall in Ottawa, the October 22nd event will feature music by Carlos Morgado, the beautiful dancing styles of the Esmeraldas de Colombia,many traditional Salvadorean treats, as well as other tasty snacks.

Laura Haylock, Executive Director of SalvAide, said the organization hopes to match or better the financial success of the event last year, its best so far.Like many development organizations, SalvAide has seen its government funding reduced in recent years, making the revenues raised by the dinner and auction more crucial than ever to sustaining the group's work."The work we do has a tangible and lasting impact on particularly the most vulnerable people of El Salvador," said Haylock. "SalvAide hopes to create a second phase of its very successful School of Leadership program for rural youth, among other projects in the country," she said.

Over the years the event has become a mainstay of the October social calendar for Ottawa's international development community. Items slated for auction this year include: fine art, travel, furniture and crafts from around the world. Revenues generated by the auction will go to SalvAide's leadership programs for rural youth in El Salvador.

Over the past 20 years, SalvAide has supported work to improve the health services and financial self-sufficiency of Salvadorans, as well as projects to build civil society and community infrastructure. Among the initiatives in which it has been involved are agricultural livestock projects, supporting the operation of daycares and schools, setting up community stores and establishing medical and legal aid clinics. As well, SalvAide has fostered lasting relationships through its twinning of Canadian municipalities with rural communities in El Salvador.

Tickets for this year's event are $25.00 in advance (before October 15) or $35 after that date. The Ukrainian Hall is located at 1000 Byron Avenue. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the live auction at 7:00 p.m.For further information please phone 613-233-6215 or Email: salvaide@web.net