Italo-Canadian Club showcasing ‘inspiring women’ for 2021 fundraiser

Kingston Italo-Canadian Club (ICC) is seeking nominations to their “2020 Survivor” campaign, in time for their annual International Women’s Day fundraiser.

“The International Women’s Day fundraiser is one of the ICC’s biggest events of the year and we are not going to let COVID-19 stop it,” said Banquet director Ashley Clark.

The campaign has multiple components this year. First, the ICC is seeking nominees for the “2020 Survivor” Award, which will recognize local women who’ve shown resilience over the past year. The theme, “I’m a Survivor,” is meant to recognize the fact that 2020 presented numerous challenges and struggles for people to overcome.

A panel of judges will narrow the nominees down to a Top 10, who will then have their stories published and voted on by the public to determine the winner of the award. The Top 10 will also be given the opportunity to model in the ICC’s annual fundraiser fashion show, which takes place virtually this year on Sunday, March 7, 2021 over Zoom. The voted winner will receive a trophy, cash prize and gift basket. The deadline to nominate is Monday, Feb. 8, 2021.

“The campaign has the goal of highlighting as many amazing local women as possible,” Clark said.

In coordination with the fashion show, the ICC will also launch a virtual market featuring local products – many of which will be featured in the show itself.

“It will showcase extraordinary business women like Director of Business Development at Improbable Escapes, Melissa Eapen, local musician Teagan McLaren and will reveal the winner of the “2020 Survivor” Award,” Clark said.

Finally the ICC is also offering candy, carnation and wine-o-grams through their weekly takeout, to send in celebration of International Women’s Day. “We encourage everyone to send them to the amazing women in their lives, they will be available to order soon,” Clark added.

In a normal year, a portion of the fundraiser’s proceeds go to a local charity. However, the ICC relies on hall rentals as part of their annual revenue, and the pandemic has hit them hard.

“Due to the financial impact COVID-19 has had on the not-for-profit cultural club, this year’s fundraiser will be a way of keeping it alive so that they will be around to support the community in the future,” Clark said.

To nominate an inspiring woman for the “2020 Survivor” award, click here. To purchase tickets, click here.