The May Court Club of Oakville is an organization with deep roots, rich in history, and made up entirely of volunteer women. The club gives service to and raises funds for the Halton community. May Court was created in 1898 on the eve of May Day, in Ottawa, by Lady Aberdeen, the wife of Canada’s then Governor General; a lady who also founded The Victorian Order of Nurses. It was the first service club founded in Canada. The May Court Club of Oakville was founded on January 9, 1956 and is now one of nine club’s in the Association of May Court Clubs of Canada. May Court’s vision is to be a “role model for volunteerism and community service”.
Focused on society’s most vulnerable – women, children, seniors, and those struggling with physical and mental health challenges, the May Court Club of Oakville has devoted countless hours and significant dollars in Oakville and throughout the region of Halton. Since 2000, the May Court Club of Oakville has made substantial contributions to institutions such as Wellspring and the Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital in the amount of $100,000 for each. In the last sixteen years the Club has raised 2,034,245 for Scholarships and local Community Agencies. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Halton, Carey House for physically handicapped adults, Acclaim Health, Halton Women’s Place, Food4Kids, S.E.N.E.C.A. seniors day program, Kerr Street Mission, Distress Centre Oakville and Family Adolescent Straight Talk are but a few of the recipients who benefit from the generosity, funding, and the superb volunteerism of the May Court Club of Oakville. The energy and enthusiasm of these women is directed toward helping those in need and is truly heartwarming.
The May Court Puppeteers perform an anti-bullying play, free of charge, to grade 4 and 5 elementary students. The Lunch Box Program supports Halton schools with nutritious, non-perishable snacks for hungry children. These two very exciting programs have a large impact on our local children. The Scholarship fund has also been very successful as it allows Oakville high school students who are in need and have volunteerism as one of their core values, to experience a post-secondary school education.
“Where does all this money come from?” May Court’s most consistent source of funding each year comes from the Nearly New Shop located at 200 Kerr Street in Oakville. Discover this gem of a consignment store for yourself and you will return many times to find that perfect piece of gently loved apparel, jewellery, shoes or hat, and to discover the hidden treasures in the basement. Consider consigning or donating to the Nearly New Shop the next time you are cleaning out your closets. It will make you feel good to know that the items you are purging will benefit the community. 100% of the profits from the Shop are directed toward local charities.
The club also holds unique fundraisers throughout the year. The May Court Club of Oakville will be celebrating its 60th Anniversary with the community at its “Let’s Get This Party Started” fundraising dinner/dance on April 15, 2016 at the Oakville Conference Centre. Come out to help May Court celebrate and raise funds for the Scholarship Program and May Court programs and charities. Visit www.maycourt.ca to purchase tickets.
May Court is also blessed with generous sponsors who believe in the “May Court Cause” and the professionalism with which they conduct the business of “helping others”. Mercedes-Benz Oakville and Tocca Finita are the club’s major co-sponsors.
May Court welcomes new members. “Many hands really do make light work.” The club is successful because we enjoy working together to benefit the community. Friendraising and fundraising go hand in hand. Let May Court show you how and why! Visit www.maycourt.ca to find out more.