If you haven't painted in awhile, there is a new opportunity for you get back into it, have an afternoon cocktail with friends, and help out a local family in need at the same time.
On Sunday, May 14th, which is Mother's Day, a fundraising event will take place at Branch 287 of the Royal Canadian Legion in South Porcupine. It is called 'Paint and Sip'.
"What happens is, you get all of your paint supplies provided, and she gives you a tutorial whatever picture you're creating. For this, we chose a ladybug picture. She pre-paints it, and has it on display, and she coaches everyone in the room. How to make the particular strokes, and kind of a step by step on how to paint this picture. And the bar will be open, so that's where the 'sip' part comes in," said event organizer Suzie St. Denis.
Essentially it will be like an art class, but bigger, and with adult beverages. The instructor will be local artist Brigitte Dumouchel of Brush Strokes Timmins.
"She does these events all of the time, this one just happens to be for the fundraiser. There's 90 seats available, so its quite a lot of people," she said.
The event is a fundrasier for Lydia Allard, affectionately known as 'Liddybug'. She was born on August 2, 2015 with a rare muscle disorder called Nemaline Myopathy. She experiences delays in attaining motor milestones such as lifting her head up, sitting up, walking, and talking, as well as difficulties breathing, swallowing, and eating.
Lydia Allard snuggles with her parents Megan and Tyler. The couple needs several costly modifications to make their van wheelchair accessible to bring Lydia to medical appointments beyond the cityLydia will turn two years old in August. Her parents Megan and Tyler are hoping to explore more treatment opportunities outside of the Timmins area. She requires a huge amount of medical supplies each month, but St. Denis says this event is for a very specific reason.
"In order to transport her, they need a wheelchair accessible van. There is some funding available, but nowhere near what they need. Its quite costly. Hopefully we can put some kind of dent into the costs of the modifications that they need with this fundraiser, " said St. Denis.
From 12 to 1 p.m., there will be raffles, a bake sale, as well as a few kids games. This event is free and open to the public, however if you want to stay for the painting class from 1 to 3 p.m., a ticket is required.
The tickets for the painting portion of the afternoon are $35.
"Its really easy, you e-transfer the money, your name goes on a list. On the day of the event, we check the name, check the list, and they get their supplies."
Those supplies are paints, brushes, an 11x14 canvas, and an apron.
"Part of it is a donation to Megan and Tyler, and the rest covers the fees associated, like the painting supplies, and hall rental."
Of note, funds from beverage sales are not going to the family, but to the Legion itself.
To register for the event, click here to visit the Brush Strokes Timmins website.
Participants get to bring their creations home with them to show loved ones, even though St. Denis says with a laugh, some choose not to.
"Its actually really fun. I've done a few of these. It's something different to do, especially on Mother's Day. You sit in there, and basically listen to everyone giggle about how ridiculous their painting looks. Its just a good time," said St. Denis.
