Valentine’s Day may be months away, but good news for locals seeking partners for the holiday: a singles event is coming soon to Newmarket, all in support of a great cause.
On Nov. 7 from 6:30 to 9 p.m., locals interested in meeting, mingling and connecting with someone new are encouraged to attend Connect for a Cause, a social singles and speed dating event held in support of children with cancer.
Tickets for the event cost $25 each and are available for purchase online until Nov. 6. In addition to the excitement of finding a special someone, the night will offer music and entertainment, a welcome drink and cash bar, yummy finger foods, and a raffle featuring gift baskets donated by local small businesses including Angelic Touch Boutique, BOL Bespoke Soy Candles, Sweet Ritual Skincare, Oh! That’s Clean, Elle & M, Need the Heat, Brainy Games, and artist Lindsay Robinson.
Event venue EVENTMRKT at 352 Doug Duncan Dr. is hosting the event free of charge, allowing 100 per cent of proceeds to be donated.
“There’s never been a singles night like this in the area,” said Sarah Bankuti, co-organizer of Connect for a Cause. “We thought it would be such a great opportunity for people to meet someone new.”
Through proceeds from Connect for a Cause, Bankuti hopes to raise a total of $1,000 – equivalent to over 30 donated gift bags filled with special books, plushies, and treats for local children with cancer and their families.
As a mother to a child who has faced cancer herself – and author of the Princess Lily book series, inclusive picture books for children with cancer and other serious illnesses – Bankuti knows the importance of small gestures that let children, and families, know they’re not alone.
“We’re hoping to not just put in kids stuff, but items for parents and the whole family,” said Bankuti.
Bankuti is co-hosting Connect for a Cause with local realtor Christina Assuncao, a longtime supporter of her cancer fundraisers. If the event is successful, the pair plan to make it an annual event.
This time around, they'd like to thank businesses Rizzi Mortgages, Mayfair Law Group, Kings Rook Music, Parties by Nic, Petite Blume, Orange Feather, and EVENTMRKT for their generous sponsorship.
“We’ve got a lot of people really interested so far,” said Bankuti. “This is our first one, so hopefully every year it gets bigger and bigger.”
For more information, contact Bankuti ([email protected]) or Assuncao ([email protected]).
