Toronto Star: Hot time on the menu at Windfall’s Jambalaya (2001)

Source: Toronto Star – Fashion Section
Author: Janice Mawhinney
Published: November 1, 2001
Section: E7
Document Type: Newspaper Feature Article
Source Links:
View original newspaper scan (Degrassi Vault Gallery)
Article Archive (RebeccaJenkins.ca)

It’s not your standard fundraising gala. Jambalaya, a big party tomorrow evening, will indeed be raising money for the operations of Windfall Clothing Services. That’s a non-profit charitable organization that collects surplus new clothes from manufacturers and retailers, and distributes them to people in need, through social service agencies.

Sure, there’s a familiar ambience. There’s the fabulous spread of spicy Cajun food catered by swank chef Dinah Koo. There’s the de rigeur silent auction and grand draw. There’s a palm reader and a tattoo artist and dancing to live music as well as an array of splendidly dressed representatives of high society.

But this event has its own unique flavour, says Windfall board member Keir Brownstone. “The people there are a broad range including people from the shelters and social services in the community we serve, and people from the corporate world, and our friends and family,” he says.

“Some people get very dressed up, and some people dress very casually. It’s not a lot of people in suits who are bored and leave early—it’s a wild time. Everyone could use a fun party right now. This is really a fun party.”

To reflect the unique spirit of the occasion, at the door everyone will be issued a mask made by a schoolchild. Tickets are $50 today, and $60 at the door tomorrow. The party takes place at the Capitol Event Theatre at 2492 Yonge St. at Castlefield Ave. and starts at 8 p.m. More than 500 tickets have already sold.

Special guests at the party are singer Lorraine Segato and actor/singer Rebecca Jenkins. Music will be provided by John Dickie and the Prima Donnas.

Jambalaya is the second annual fundraiser party for the Windfall organization, which is in its 10th year. Operating largely on the efforts of volunteers, co-ordinated by two full-time and one half-part staff, Windfall collected 264,000 items of clothing last year and distributed them through 80 social service organizations.

The agencies distributing the clothing include youth groups, women’s shelters, organizations that look after homeless people, job placement groups, and refugee organizations. Last year the fundraising party provided 30 per cent of the $220,000 annual budget for Windfall, which Brownstone says gets no government support. Coats and children’s clothing are the most difficult items to get, and among the most needed, he says.

Archival Note: This article was originally published in the Toronto Star (Fashion Section, Page E7) on November 1, 2001. The photograph features Sarah Barrable-Tishauer, who had recently debuted as Liberty Van Zandt on Degrassi: The Next Generation, supporting the Windfall Clothing Service fundraiser.