On Friday, October 18th, the third annual Emerald Community Girls Night In will be held at the Emerald Performing Arts Centre, once again giving local women the chance to enjoy a great night out with friends while raising money for the Cancer Council of Victoria.
Proudly supported each year by GAIA Skin Naturals, last year’s event was attended by 260 women and raised approx. $12,000. The efforts of the organising committee were honoured by a research award being named after them: "The Emerald Community Research Award", as well as the opportunity to nominate which clinical trial was to receive the grant.
Head organiser, Stephanie Cox, explains she decided to hold the event after her mum was diagnosed with breast cancer. "I felt so helpless and wanted to do something. I saw the campaign for the Girls Night In and realised that this was something I could do to help," she said. "I originally planned to have a few of girlfriends over at my place, but my little idea had wings and with the help of friends and the support of companies like GAIA it has grown to into a major community event."
Local Resident and Managing Director of GAIA Skin Naturals, Michelle Vogrinec, is proud of the company’s long-standing support of the evening. "For us this is all about supporting the local community and all the families who have been touched by cancer," said Michelle. "One of our staff members has been directly affected by breast cancer which has made us even more aware and really brought the issue closer to home."
Tickets are available from Ritchies IGA in Emerald or online
Tickets are $10 which includes a glass of champagne or juice and finger food on arrival. 
The night will be hosted by Warwick Merry with entertainment from Mood Swings Choir and local artists and there will be refreshments throughout the night, plus the opportunity for a massage and professional beauty treatments provided by HUSH Cosmetics Beauty Studio for a small donation.
There will be raffles, door prizes, heaps of new, second hand items, vouchers and services available in a silent auction that will go on throughout the evening and more donations are welcome. All proceeds from the auction will go to the Cancer Council’s women’s cancer projects. The first 200 ticket holders will also receive a GAIA gift bag.
All sales of GAIA products on the night will be donated to cancer research.
"As wives, mothers, sisters and friends we can turn our compassion from feeling powerless to doing something really powerful by focusing our efforts on funding research," said Michelle.
For further information about the event, please visit the Facebook page or www.emeraldcommunitygirlsnightin.org or phone Stephanie on 0458 995 504.
And in case you are new to GAIA – the GAIA Natural Baby was born out of a need by Melbourne mum, Michelle Vogrinec, when she couldn’t find suitable skincare products to care for her baby’s skin, who suffered from eczema and sensitivities - so she created them.
Designed to keep baby skin care simple, GAIA Natural Baby provides the basic items to gently care for baby’s everyday needs, without too much fuss. The products are also free from harsh soaps, sulphates, petrochemicals, phthalates, lanolin, talc, mineral oil, propylene glycol, paraben preservatives and artificial fragrance, making them eczema friendly. Not only are the products tailored for sensitive skin, they are made using certified organic ingredients to minimise dryness, calm sensitivities and provide gentle care for your little one’s skin at bath time and beyond.
Other GAIA brands include pure pregnancy, made for men and Skin+Body. And Let me tell you, the products are amazing, the GAIA Belly Butter and Belly Oil saw me though my recent pregnancy without a single stretchmark, and I am loving using the GAIA Baby products on my little baby boy, and the Grapefruit & JasmineBody Wash and Body Moisturiser smells absolutely divine.
Do you live in the area, and going to attend the event and support this great cause? And please do share the details of this event with your friends.
Have you tried any of the products from GAIA?