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South Okanagan women recognized at awards gala

Women Front and Centre Gala award nominees announced for fundraiser on March 2 at the Penticton Lakeside Resort.

The South Okanagan Women in Need Society will be honouring those who have a positive impact on the community.

The 8th annual Women Front and Centre Gala fundraiser will occur on March 2 at the Penticton Lakeside Resort. This year's theme is Diamonds Are Forever and a dressed up glamorous evening will provide a unique atmosphere for the awards, dinner and dance. Last year the event raised close to $20,000 and organizers would like to meet or exceed that for 2013.

Winners of this year's Courage award are Kellie Wesley and Veronika Schrank. This award is not scored and both of the women will receive it.

In Education, Training and Development Rena Groot, Ryanne Volrich and Traci Fladager have been nominated. For Entrepreneur, Deb Ranger and Georgina Dumont are nominated. Barb Finlayson, Greta Henning, Gwen Sander, Jen Wheaton, Monica Sahlmark are nominated for Health, Wellness and Active Living. In the Non Profit or Public Sector, Dara Murphy and Lynne Napper, Jacqueline Farebrother, Judy Sentes, Lynn Popoff and Teresa Kendall are nominated.

The Esteem Team from Get Bent Active Arts Society (Celine Blais, Emily Bussniger, Nicole Chickloski and Elaina Collis) are nominated for Young Leaders.

Donna Schellenberg, Elizabeth Lupton and Thea Haubrich are nominated for Arts, Culture and Design. Deborah O'Mara, Dora James Stelkia, Get Bent Ladies Performance Group, Jane Shaak, June Revell-Quevillion and Kim Kirkham are nominated for Community Building.

The gala starts at 5:30 p.m. with a cocktail reception where those in attendance can preview the many auction items. Awards and the dinner will start at 6:30 p.m. Live music will be courtesy of Sway, a fun and up-beat stage show. the music of Michael Buble, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Van Morrison will be featured as well as a big band spin on songs made famous by the Beatles, the Eagles, Queen, Ray Charles and more.

Tickets are $75 and available at the Penticton Lakeside Resort, WINGS Store on Main Street or by calling 250-493-4366 ext. 100 and reserving a table. To be eligible for the early bird prize of a gift certificate to Villa Rosa Ristorante tickets must be purchased by Feb. 20.

Proceeds from this event go towards SOWINS programs and services that support women and their children who are at risk of abuse or who have experienced abuse.