FAUSA’s 26th Annual Getaway and Fundraising Gala is officially in the books! Our members gathered in Montréal with zeal and enthusiasm, reconnecting with friends, making new memories, and—once again—demonstrating what FAUSA can accomplish when we come together for a cause. Our members helped raise an incredible $55,000 to support FAUSA’s mission and philanthropic work!
Our Getaway kicked off Thursday with a short walk to Auberge Saint-Gabriel, a beautiful historic building dating back to 1688. The charming venue provided a memorable setting for our opening dinner and a wonderful start to the weekend.
On Friday, members explored Montréal through both walking and bus tours. The group split in two, then switched activities so everyone could experience both tours. It was a fantastic way to discover the city, learn about its history, and get to know fellow FAUSA members along the way!
Saturday morning brought us together for our Annual General Meeting. Our guest speaker was Janne Ritskes who spoke about her work with Tabitha’s Wells, which has helped bring clean water to so many communities in Cambodia. Tabitha’s Wells was FAWCO’s first Target Project. She also spoke about her current efforts with Shalom Small Homes which provides safe, affordable small homes for low-income vulnerable adults and seniors in Kemptville, Ontario, Canada. Janne is an inspiration for us all!
After the break, board members shared updates on the work accomplished over the past year and plans for the future. We also announced our 2026–2027 grant recipients, each receiving a $10,000 grant to support their important work. Congratulations to Project 150 Reno, Because High School is Tough Enough and Education to Employment, Refugee Assistance Alliance. And the excitement continued with the announcement of our next Getaway destination: Boulder, Colorado! The dates have not yet been announced, so stay tuned.
Another beloved Getaway tradition is our annual quilt raffle. This year’s beautiful quilt was handmade by Suzanne Wheeler, and congratulations go to Kathy Coughlan, our lucky winner!
Saturday evening, we traded our usual attire for hockey jerseys as we celebrated with our “Hockey Night in Montréal” Gala. Members proudly wore their favorite team’s jerseys, adding plenty of color and team spirit to the festivities.
Between the silent auction, live auction, and quilt raffle, FAUSA members raised over $60,000 over the weekend. These funds will help FAUSA continue supporting organizations and projects that improve the lives of women and children around the world.
Montréal gave us wonderful experiences, meaningful connections, and plenty of reasons to celebrate. Thank you to everyone who attended, volunteered, donated, bid, and helped make this Getaway such a success.
We left Montréal with full hearts, wonderful memories, and the satisfaction of knowing that our fun together will make a difference around the world. Boulder, here we come!
