V.O.N. volunteer board of directors and fundraising committee members Erna Corbeil (left) and Linda Wentzell (right) stand with a few of the beautifully painted birdhouses that will be auctioned off at their upcoming May 4 spring fundraiser. The dessert buffet and fashion show starts at 2 p.m. at the Anglican Church Parish Hall. Leanne Delong Photo
From birdhouses to fashion
A major fundraiser in May for the Queens Victorian Order of Nurses will include a fashion show, desserts and a silent auction on locally made birdhouses.
“We’re always trying to find ways to earn money to support our programs,” said Linda Wentzell, who is on the V.O.N. volunteer board of directors and fundraising committee. “This year one of the ideas we had was doing a spring tea and fashion show with the help of Vicki’s Fashions.”
The fundraiser takes place 2 p.m. May 4 in the Anglican Church Parish Hall in Liverpool.
Erna Corbeil, who is also on the volunteer board of directors and the fundraising committee, came up with the idea of selling birdhouses.
She inspired the Milton Baptist Church men’s group to build the birdhouses. Group member John Toplis with the help of Raymond Wentzell and Eddy Whynot spearheaded the effort.
Then they had various artists in the area paint the birdhouses.
Artists include Joan Bray, Margaret Mitchell, Greta Connolly, Pat English, Bertha Manthorne, Elsa Toplis and Debbie Noel.
“It’s going to be lots of fun and we’re hoping to get a big crowd out to support us,” said Wentzell.
Desserts are going to be fantastic, she declared.
There will be 20 birdhouses in the silent auction, with estimated starting prices of $15.
Money raised from the event will go towards Queens County V.O.N. programs and services.
The transportation program will expand in the fall to cover the North Queens area, added site manager, Margo Walsh-Leaman.
Tickets are available at the V.O.N. office or at Vicki’s Fashions and Accessories Boutique, for $5.
For more information call the V.O.N. office at 354-3297.
by Leanne Delong/The Advance 
