On the morning of Mar. 2, 2018, hundreds of Prince George residents gathered inside the Ramada to recognize women in the city.
The International Women’s Day breakfast is headed by Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond, raising a total of $1,600 in its sixth annual event.
“I want to say ‘thank you’ to all the women and men that attended the breakfast and these funds will go a very long way to help vitalize our community of Prince George,” said Bond while speaking to the media Friday.
“Today we want to launch the seventh breakfast coming up in March and we hope more people can attend in recognizing our beloved women and what they’re doing in our community.”
Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond presents plaque to Colleen Fitzpatrick (far left), mother of fallen Cpl. Darren Fitzpatrick (via Kyle Balzer)The financial recipients are the family of Cpl. Darren Fitzpatrick ($800), who lost his life serving Canada in Afghanistan while stepping on an explosive device, and the Our Satya Foundation ($800), who support women in positions of distress, poverty, and socio-economic conditions.
Cpl. Fitzpatrick’s mother Colleen was one of the speakers at the 2018 breakfast.
“I was very pleased to participate, to see some of our very inspirational women in our community, and just to be a part of that.” she explained. “It’s just a great way to recognize our women. We can’t say ‘thank you’ enough from our family, thanks to Shirley Bond as well for hosting this event all these years.”
In addition to the donation, a plaque commemorating Cpl. Fitzpatrick’s sacrifice and legacy will be placed in Cpl. Darren Fitzpatrick Bravery Park, located in the Hart region.
Our Satya Founder Shobha Sharma was shocked to receive this funding and believes the stories of the women they help each day will be echoed by Prince George’s caring spirit.
“This money is going to be able to support health and wellness education for the women of rural India,” said Sharma, who is one month due from delivering a baby herself.
“I always think of all the women who don’t have access to proper services. I’m going down to Vancouver to deliver my child, but I can’t even imagine the limited access for other women who are going through what I’m going through.”
The 2019 International Women’s Day breakfast is scheduled for Friday, Mar. 1 at the Ramada Prince George.
