PURPLE REIGN: A Radical 80s Gala
RADICAL!
On October 25th, we brought the 80’s back to Strathmore! 
It was a tubular evening full of big hair, big colours, and BIG hearts.
We invited our community to don their most bodacious outfits and join us for a totally rad evening of raising funds and awareness to empower survivors of violence.
And don they did!
A Totally Tubular Event
Our 80’s Retro night began with cocktail hour; an opportunity to browse the auction items, check out all the gnarly fits, and ask our neighbours how the heck they got thier hair all the way up there!
Guests were welcomed by True North’s very own Board Member, Shirley Spotted Eagle, as they prepared to have fun and raise funds for survivors of violence on Treaty 7 land.
We heard from Kim Toller, the totally tubular podcaster of A Million Other Choices: A True Crime Podcast (seriously, check it out).
Then we got to chow down on an amazing prime rib buffet dinner provided by Baldwin BBQ while hearing from two very special guests, True North’s Executive Director Courtney Helfrich and Board Chair Joyce Li, who connected the who (you!) and how (80’s fun), with the why: supporting those impacted by domestic violence.
It all lead up to the main event: an absolutely righteous live band performance by Silly Wrabbit!
Thank you for making Purple Reign an incredible evening of camaraderie and advocacy towards a shared cause: supporting survivors of violence.
Read more & see more RAD photos at StrathmoreNow!
Message from the Executive Director:
Good evening, everyone and welcome to our totally awesome 80s Gala!
So being that I was actually not alive for the 80’s…. (the FOMO is real) I did some “research” to prepare for tonight, which basically means I watched Back to the Future and a few Madonna videos, so I feel extremely qualified to comment on the outfits I see around the room tonight.
Some of you really understood the assignment and took “big hair” as a personal challenge. The neon is glowing, the sequins are sparkling, and I haven’t seen this many shoulder pads since… well never. But again, from my research and what I’ve heard, there is definitely enough hairspray and bright colors in here to send us back in time to the 80’s tonight!
Although I missed the 80s, I think what people loved most about that decade wasn’t just the music or the fashion, it was the sense of energy, optimism, and community. And that’s exactly what tonight is about. We’re here to celebrate connection, compassion, and courage, the kind that changes lives every single day, and we’re so glad you all were able to attend here tonight.
Before we dive into the fun, I want to take a moment to thank some incredible people who made tonight possible.
To our sponsors – you’re the real MVPs. Without you, we’d be stuck hosting a Bring your own Boombox in someone’s basement, so for that we are very grateful.
To our volunteers, Board of Directors, and staff – you’re the backbone of this event. You worked harder than Marty McFly trying to get back to 1985.
And to all of you – thank you for showing up, dressing up, and helping us make this night one for the ages.
Our organization provides safety, shelter, and support for individuals and families experiencing domestic violence. When someone is in danger, we answer. When someone needs a safe place to go, we open our doors. And when someone is ready to rebuild, we walk alongside them – honoring the past, providing support in the presence, and awakening hope for the future.
Every ticket, every donation, every auction bid tonight helps make that possible.
It appears that in the 80s, people talked a lot about “power suits”, but real power is what happens when a survivor finds their strength again. When a child can sleep through the night without fear. When a family begins to heal.
That’s the kind of power you’re helping create tonight.
On behalf of our entire team, and especially the survivors and families we serve, thank you. Thank you for showing up, for caring deeply, and for reminding us that community can transform pain into possibility.
So tonight, let’s celebrate. Let’s eat, laugh, dance, and maybe break out a few moves you haven’t tried since prom night. If you pull a hamstring doing the worm, there’s no judgement – we’ll call it “for the cause.”
Thank you for being here, for standing with survivors, and for proving that compassion never goes out of style – even if shoulder pads thankfully did.
We’re gonna party like it’s 1989! And remember – if you start to feel tired, just tell yourself: Madonna wouldn’t quit now.
Enjoy your night everyone! Thank you!
Big Thanks to these Epic Gala Sponsors!
