Most women jump at any opportunity to throw on a sexy pair of sling-backs, but Gina Nasuti and Karine Driedger have taken it to a whole new level.

For a second year they will hold Bear Your Heart, a tasteful mixer to grant a child in need a wish through the Children’s Wish Foundation.

“I was lucky enough to be a healthy child growing up, and I can’t imagine the pain of having a sick kid. The Children’s Wish Foundation is a great cause, and they do great work for very deserving young children,” said Driedger, a freelance journalist.

Both graduates of Red River College’s creative communications program, Nasuti and Driedger teamed together in 2009 to put on the campaign to change a child’s life as part of their final project.

The women decided to support a kid in need because they both love children.

“We both work with kids a lot – I used to work in a daycare and Karine used to teach dance,” Nasuti said.

The two combined their creative forces to plan and advertise the event.

“Gina and I really complement each other. She has been the creative force behind the fundraiser, coming up with the design for the posters, brochures and any of our print materials,” said Driedger. “I focused on the writing aspect, and wrote a lot of ‘to do’ lists. Between the two of us, we have all aspects covered. And as far as team work goes, we had a very successful event the first time around, and we still get along now to throw the event a second time.”

“ I was lucky enough to be a healthy child growing up, and I can’t imagine the pain of having a sick kid.

Karine Driedger, co-organizer, Bear Your Heart

Nasuti and Driedger will be up at all hours for a second time this year coordinating entertainment, approaching local businesses for prizes and providing great food.

“We want to make sure the attendees have a good time,” Driedger said.   

An average wish costs $8,500 to grant, but last year Nasuti and Driedger raised $10,000.

Lisa Harrison, fundraising coordinator for the Manitoba and Nunavut chapter of the Children’s Wish Foundation, is grateful for projects like Bear Your Heart.

“Events like these provide us with a tremendous amount of support because we don’t receive government funding. They truly are the life blood that allows us to grant wishes,” Harrison said.

This year, the women are raising money to help send Noah, an eight-year-old suffering from kidney disease, on a Disney cruise.

“We want to grant at least one wish this year,” Nasuti says. “For $25 a ticket, it’s reasonable to expect people to come out. It’s a small amount that turns into a big reward for a kid.

“We have been very grateful for everyone’s generosity. We’re amazed at how many people support the Children’s Wish Foundation, and believe in their cause. We hope that the event is an even greater success this year, and that we are able to grant Noah’s wish.”

Nasuti and Driedger invite you to join them Monday, Feb. 7 at 6 p.m. at Earls St. Vital to Bear Your Heart and help make Noah’s dream come true. Visit www.bearyourheartwinnipeg.com.

Published in Volume 65, Number 18 of The Uniter (February 3, 2011)