Instead of having a party to celebrate my 31st birthday, I decided to do something AWESOME... I launched a campaign to raise $10,000 by seeking 321 supporters to donate $31 each. Once I reach my goal, I will have enough resources to launch A Little More Hope - an online resources providing accessible resources, support, and education to survivors of sexual assault.

Check out my fundraising page here for more details!  I would be incredibly grateful if you would consider sharing my campaign, or donating $31 towards A Little More Hope.
www.YouCaring.com/alittlemorehope

Recently Christy Smith, founder of Spice Creative was presented a Top 20 Under 40 Business and Community Achievement Award in recognition of philanthropic and career success!

"This prestigious award is a huge honor and I am grateful and humbled to have been included in such a category!  Thank you to everyone who has helped pave the way towards realizing my goals – The best is yet to come!!"

On May 4, 2011 Spice Creative is holding a Spa night and Fashion Fundraiser at the Fairmont Willow Stream Spa to raise awareness and resources for the Victoria Women’s Sexual Assault Centre (WSAC).  At the event, t-shirts designed by Spice Creative and custom styled by Victoria designer Marcie Leblanc of LeBlanc Boutique will be unveiled by local celebrities; including the Victoria Highlanders FC Women’s team and Radio personalities Brian Bailey and Danny the Intern from 107.3 Kool FM. 

The event will promote self-care, offering guests mini spa treatments, courtesy of Fairmont Willow Stream Spa, light refreshments, a silent auction – and even a fortuneteller who will be taking donations for the Women’s sexual assault centre in exchange for her services! Reserving tickets in advance is recommended as the event is expected to sell out. Tickets are $30 and available to reserve in person or by calling the Willow Stream Spa, 250-995-4650.  

The event comes after Christy Smith, founder of Spice Creative, raised over $20,000 to benefit the WSAC by running the Royal Victoria ½ Marathon on October 10, 2010. “The fundraising success and positive support I have received, combined with the number of women who privately thanked me for coming forward as a survivor, fueled my motivation to keep going.” says Smith.

Smith calls the t-shirt campaign “Shhh!” and hopes it will create a sustainable revenue stream for the Victoria Women’s Sexual Assault Centre while sending a powerful message: 1 in 3 women are sexually assaulted.  1 in 4 survivors never tell anyone about it.  Help us break the silence. 


The t-shirt design uses birds to symbolize freedom while Shhh! represents the silence many female victims endure when keeping their pain a secret. 1 in 3 women survive sexual assault, and 1 in 3 birds on the shirt are coloured to symbolize this. The white birds represent the 1 in 4 survivors who will never tell anyone or reach out for help. Statistics prove that survivors of sexual violence are not alone; however often victims feel isolated or scared to get help to change their future. The flock of birds inside the t-shirt symbolizes women in a ‘flock’ who are affected to help show survivors they are not alone.  The inside of the tshirts will be unveiled the evening of May 4th at the official launch.

“Shhh! This is not just a t-shirt, it’s a movement.” Says Smith.  The shirts have been designed to be trendy and wearable, while drawing attention to an important issue and encouraging positive change. The design includes a link to the Shhh! Facebook site (www.facebook.com/1in3women) used as a platform to continue raising awareness and resources for issues surrounding sexual assault.

Want to get involved?  HERE IS WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP:
1.  Like our Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/1in3women
2.  Come to the Shhh! Launch party May 4th 7pm-9pm at Fairmont 
     Empress Willow Stream Spa.  Call 250-995-4650 to reserve tickets 
3.  Buy a Shhh! Tshirt:  Available at LeBlanc Boutique (2 locations in 
 Victoria on Johnson st. and in Market Square)
4.  Participate in the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event in Bastion Square on
     May 14th  www.walkamilevictoria.com
5.  Contact the WSAC to donate or volunteer!