A year of working out together has given the self-proclaimed Bootie Camp Girls new-found confidence and they plan to use it to help women fleeing abusive situations.
The group of 15 women, who work out at a friend's garage in Roberts Creek, will be putting on a burlesque show at a fundraiser they've created to benefit the Yew Transition House. The transition house provides accommodation and support to women and children on the Coast affected by family violence and abuse.
The Boudoir Rouge event on Feb. 9 at the Roberts Creek Hall starts at 8 p.m. and in addition to the burlesque show, attendees will enjoy a boudoir photo booth, a silent auction, the chance to shop local vendors who sell romantic wares, wine and dessert.
Tickets for the fundraiser cost $25 each and are available only in advance at The Brick and VIBE in Gibsons and at Kitsch in Sechelt.
"We chose to do the Boudoir Rouge event because it's different. There's nothing like it on the Coast," said Rachel Griffiths, one of the Bootie Camp Girls who has been organizing the event along with Michelle Cross. "The burlesque style is all about confidence and owning yourself, and that's kind of how we feel with our boot camp girls. We've given each other so much confidence, we build that in each other, and we just thought it was a really good fit and a really fun thing to do."
Although organizers Griffiths and Cross haven't used the services of Yew Transition House, they recognize its importance for women on the Coast who have no where else to turn.
"They do such awesome things and they don't ever seem to get recognition for what they do, so we wanted to showcase them and raise some money for them because they rely on that community support," Griffiths said.
Last year Yew housed 96 women and 38 children and took 1,124 calls from women who needed help.
Yew is under the umbrella of the Sunshine Coast Community Services Society and funded by B.C. Housing, but there is often more need than dollars allocated.
Eva Boese of Yew said the current needs at the house include a new fence, renovation to a shed, new window blinds, bicycles, a stove and new carpeting.
"Any funds raised would go towards one of these stated needs," Boese said.
If you want to help, but can't make the Feb. 9 event, call the transition house at 604-885-5128.
In addition to monetary donations they welcome donations of clothing and household items for women making a new start.
