Ahead of Mother’s Day, realtor Erin Carter – with Royal LePage Wolstencroft – is hosting a garage sale aimed at helping women impacted by domestic violence.
Before moving from Toronto three years back, Carter was involved in several Royal LePage GarageSale4Shelter events each May.
Since settling into Langley, she’s helped coordinate a few garage sales in her Walnut Grove townhouse complex. But, she found herself missing the efforts to help a local women’s shelter.
So this spring she decided to do something about it. She’s hosting a local GarageSale4Shelter event on Saturday, May 11, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 9525 204th St.
“My garage is absolutely jam packed. I’m surprised my husband hasn’t divorced me yet,” she joked, noting she has home decor items, furnishings, children’s items, and even a “gorgeous” dining room table and chairs that were donated.
“I can’t believe how incredibly generous people have been,” she said, adding that the quality of donated items has been equally surprising.
It will be easy, she said, to find that perfect Mother’s Day gift for the environmentally and economically conscious mom. And by buying her something gently used from the sale, you help reuse or repurpose items and at the same time feel good knowing all the money raised will go to the local Ishtar Transition Society.
“Shop great deals for a great cause,” Carter said. “It’s just something that speaks to my heart. Langley has adopted me since I moved out here, and this is just a small way for me to give back.”
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Other events on tap
There are also a number of commercial events happening around town this weekend – this is just a taste – pun intended (you’ll see what I mean).
There’s the always popular Mother’s Day waffle breakfast that happen on Sunday at Krause Berry Farms & Estate Winery. And, as is usually the case, this event was sold out way ahead.
And speaking of local wineries, Backyard Vineyards is also hosting a party of sorts for moms.
They hosted a bracelet making event for moms on Wednesday, and will be offering up some entertainment and flowers for dear ol’ mom on Sunday, May 12 – that’s Mother’s Day for any of you who forgot.
They’ll have Thistle Dew entertaining, and a barbecue food truck will be on site. Plus, the first 100 moms to arrive will receive a free flower. Those festivities run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Likewise, Township 7’s Langley winery will be hosting a shindig combining chocolate, a new rosé wine, and music between noon at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, with some proceeds from the day going to the Canadian Cancer Society.
How about something a little different to do with mom? Painted Loft, at 200th Street and Fraser Highway, is holding a paint workshop on Sunday afternoon, 1 to 4 p.m., where they try their hand at painting a palm tree oasis while sipping Mimosas and enjoying some light snacks.
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In advance of Mom’s Day
This week, my column isn’t solely focused on businesses.
There were a few events held last weekend, including the Mother’s Day tea held Saturday at the Langley Memorial Hospital’s museum.
Dozens gathered on the grass in front of Michaud House (where the museum is housed), to enjoy some refreshments.
Similarly, a number of Langley businesses came together for the inaugural Breakfast at Tiffany’s private shopping event last weekend.
The event, held at Passionate Homes, was something store owner Carrie Thachuk has been wanting to do for years, but just this year managed to make happen.
“It was a themed morning event encouraging women to dress up in their best Audrey Hepburn outfits and join us for breakfast and a little shopping,”
She partnered with Forever Yours Lingerie, All of Oils, Bouquet Bar, Fraser Valley Cider Company, 1 Fish 2 Fish, Black Orchid Hair Studio, Leef + Stem, and Shoes of Europe to make it happen.
“I just did it to celebrate mothers and women everywhere,” Thachuk said, already planning on how to grow and develop the event further.
“I want to do it again, and tie in a charity aspect to it, for sure,” she shared.
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Boys bat for breast cancer
And if you’re looking for something a little different, how about taking mom to a baseball tournament in Langley raising awareness for breast cancer.
About 75 boys, ages 13 and 14, will be taking part in a Pink Bat Mother’s Day tournament this weekend at Langley’s City Park. This event, presented by Langley Baseball Association, runs between May 9 to 13.
There are six teams from Langley, New West, Surrey, and West Vancouver who are expected to play their hearts out, said coach and event organizer Greg Craik.
The tourney, in its seventh year, honours former association treasurer Sheila Engh, who lost her battle with breast cancer about that time.
The event is not a fundraiser, but aimed at increasing awareness about the disease, with everyone encouraged to wear pink and the boys will come out swinging pink bats.