Diamond auction fights domestic abuse

If you're still looking for that perfect holiday gift, now is your chance to buy some stunning diamond jewellery while supporting the Kelowna Women's Shelter.

Premier Jewellery and Loans and KelownaNow are hosting a diamond auction this month with 100% of the proceeds going to the shelter. Up for grabs is a pair of 1.4 carat, white gold diamond earrings appraised at $8600.

"Within our work and personal lives, we've met women trapped in the chains of physical, emotional or financial abuse," said Martin Strasser of Premier Jewellery and Loans.

"Our pawn lending and jewellery buying service has helped many women, but we wanted to tackle this issue on a larger scale. The shelter is a good fit because it addresses many needs at once."

The generous community support will greatly benefit the shelter. Money raised will help provide food, clothing, counselling support and preventive education for women and their children who have experienced abuse.

The auction closes at noon on Monday, December 21st. You are welcome to visit Premier Jewellery and Loans to look at the earrings before bidding-- the store is located at #4-1980 Bredin Rd. in Kelowna.

So join the fight against domestic abuse and find a beautiful present in the process (even if you keep it for yourself!).

Click here to place a bid.

Busy Christmas season!

The hectic Christmas season is in full swing here at the shelter and we couldn't be happier! We've got lots going on in the next couple of weeks to help bring holiday cheer to some wonderful women and kids. 

On Monday, Dec. 7th we'll be wrapping hundreds of presents for the roughly 120 kids who have come through the shelter with their moms this past year. Thank you so much to Royal LePage Kelowna for your incredible generosity-- the kids will be so excited to get their gifts!

On Wednesday, Dec. 9th we'll host a fun (and rowdy!) Christmas party for the children and their mothers. There will be face-painting, cookie-decorating, crafts, pizza and a special appearance from Santa Claus.

Then the following Wednesday, Dec. 16th, it's a ladies-only Christmas party for 40 of the women who used the shelter's services this year. There will be dinner, prizes and karaoke. Thank you to the sponsor of that event, the Kelowna Sunrise Rotary Club.

Christmas can be a very difficult time for women who have escaped violence and, in many cases, left their homes. Community support is so important as we try to give these families a nice holiday season and help them get back on their feet.

Thank you for your time and your generosity.