OYK Toronto’s Annual

Indoor Garden Party –

A “Windfall” of Fashion & Treats

By Patti Latyshko

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On Sunday, September 22^nd, 2013 OYK Toronto hosted their Annual Indoor Garden Party and this year, besides the traditional hat parade, the organizers invited Windfall Bridal to showcase their beautiful fashions. Windfall Brides is a social enterprise charity boutique that sells brand new, high-end wedding gowns, cocktail dresses, mother-of-the-bride gowns and flower girl dresses. Many of these are designer labels, donated directly to the boutique.

They receive hundreds of these new, over-stocked wedding and evening gowns each year from bridal boutiques across Ontario and their goal is to provide brides the opportunity to purchase high-end, designer gowns at wholesale prices while at the same time contributing to the community. They are a non-profit organization that creates training and employment opportunities for low-income and marginalized individuals.

Each year Windfall Brides employ a minimum of 7 marginalized women from Ontario Works and Ontario Disability, providing them an opportunity to work in a structured, safe environment. They are taught skills that they can then take with them into the workforce. 100% of the money earned in the boutique is directed back into supporting anti-poverty programs and job training enterprises.

Following the Fashion Show was the traditional Hat Parade during which attendees were able to display their beautiful or funny or elegant chapeaus.

Of course throughout the afternoon tasty noshes were served: sandwiches, crudits, sweets, pastries – all prepared by members of the OYK Toronto Branch.

It was also a pleasure that many members from sister branches were present: Vera Melnyk, President of Ukrainian Women’s Association of Canada- St. Volodymyr Cathedral as well as Slavka Chewchuk, Rose Sametz and Katherine Sametz, Olya Kurch – President of Ukrainian Women’s Association of Canada – St. Demetrius Lakeshore, Daria Moskaluk-Rutkaj – President of Ukrainian Women’s Association of Canada – Eastern Executive, as well as Ann Moskaluk, Oksana Rewa – President Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Toronto Branch, Verna Lozynsky and Mary Ripko – Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League, St. Michael’s/Christ the Good Shepherd Parish.

Raffles and Door Prizes followed with gifts generously donated by: Mrs. Maria Styranka, Julie Bahrych-Korol, Dr. Helena Pensak, Genia Rozendaal – Fifth Avenue Jewellery, Spring-Global - Linen Warehouse Outlet, Iryna Bartkiw, Zito’s Hair Salon

Congratulations to Diana Fedun, Irene Boddy and the entire Garden Party Committee for a memorable afternoon.