The first fundraiser for Big Hill Haven, Cochrane's proposed Women's Emergency Shelter goes tomorrow night (October 14).

Margaret Van Tighem is the co-founder of the shelter and says the community has really stepped up to the plate for the fundraiser.

"We put this together really fast and we weren't getting much of a response but once the people in town found out what was going on everybody stepped up.  I've said it before, it's an incredible town with unbelievable community spirit."

Van Tighem had to stop ticket sales when they reached capacity.  More than 150 people will gather in the Links of Glen Eagles Country Club.  The event begins at 6:00 pm with dinner planned for 7:00 pm. 

"We have a live and a silent auction that we've had so many incredible donations for.  We've got John Copithorne and Jack Tennant doing the actual event.  Our MP Blake Richards has come on board to give the opening remarks.  We're also having a live band," says Van Tighem.

As this is the branding event for Big Hill Haven, Van Tighem will be introducing the eight person board to the audience.

As for progress on getting the shelter off the ground, Van Tighem says they've hired someone to do the feasibility study now.   "We know there's a need, what she is going to be helping us with is deciding where it's going to be, how to go about it, exactly what model we're going to use.  The fundraiser will raise enough money to pay for the feasibility study."   That study will cost somewhere between $20,000 and $25,000.

According to Van Tighem, the study was started two weeks ago and the report will be delivered to the board in March.

When the shelter will actually be ready to open depends on what the feasibility study shows. 

"Our drive is to get it going as soon as possible, at least in the next three years, hopefully within the next two.  With the contacts we're making now we also have a lot more community involvement and a lot more people offering opinions about locations and facilities, which is great," says Van Tighem.