Annual CFUW Orillia Event Raises
Funds for Scholarships for Young Women
by Jo Langham
If you have ever walked down a street and admired a neighbour’s wrap-around porch, or walked the dog at night and loved the glimpse you got inside a home with its lights on and curtains open, CFUW Orillia’s annual Homes for Scholarships Tour is for you. On Sunday, June 1, 2025, from noon to 5 p.m., the Tour will enable you to visit six unique properties in the Orillia area and help you support the female influencers of tomorrow!
The annual Homes for Scholarships Tour is the primary fundraiser for CFUW Orillia’s Education Foundation, the charitable arm of CFUW Orillia, which disburses these scholarships to young women in the Orillia area who are pursuing post-secondary education. In 2024, 30 students received scholarships ranging from $750 to $2,300, totalling $38,000. Since CFUW Orillia started awarding scholarships in 1955, $441,975 has been awarded to 779 young women. The final amount raised from the Homes for Scholarships Tour in 2024 reached an impressive $47,112.
The usually sold-out event attracts over 500 guests, who can admire the architectural and interior designs showcased in each home. Ticket prices are $40, which in addition to touring the six properties, includes entry into fabulous door prizes as well as a complimentary Tea and Treat to Go. Those who purchase tickets before April 24th will be entered into an Early Bird Contest for a getaway at Bayview Wildwood Resort. A Mother’s Day draw will be held on May 8th for a fabulous gift basket and services from The Dragonfly Room Salon Spa. Attendees also have the unique opportunity to meet with past scholarship recipients, adding a personal and inspiring dimension to the day.
“The Homes for Scholarships Tour is a testament to our community’s dedication to education and empowerment,” said Kelly Stewart, Chair of the Homes for Scholarships Tour. “Each ticket purchased directly contributes to the futures of young women in our area, enabling them to pursue higher education and realize their dreams.”
2025 marks CFUW Orillia’s 70th Anniversary and 50+ years of Homes Tours, which makes this year’s event particularly special. Since 1974 a diverse array of 75 homes have been visited by upwards of 18,000 guests, from cozy apartments to eclectic artist havens, showcasing the rich tapestry of unique properties in the community. Homes featured on the tour have been situated in Orillia as well as the surrounding communities of Coldwater, Marchmont, Oro-Medonte, Ramara, Rama, Severn and Washago. The homes on this year’s Tour satisfy a delightful mix of tastes, spanning from classic elegance to modern chic.
In addition to Tour ticket sales, the CFUW Orillia Homes for Scholarships Tour hosts an Online Auction from May 22 to May 24, featuring artwork by local artists and gift certificates from local businesses. In June the Homes for Scholarships Tour also promotes an event called “Feed the Mind” during which local restaurants contribute to the fundraising efforts by donating a portion of proceeds from specific menu items throughout the month.
Tickets for the tour will be available for purchase at cfuwhomestour.ca starting April 14th. For more information on the tour visit cfuwhomestour.ca, contact CFUW Orillia at cfuworilliahomestour@gmail.com, or sign up to be the first to know when tickets go on sale for the Homes for Scholarships Tour.
CFUW Orillia offers amazing social connections, lifelong learning opportunities, a commitment to advocacy, new friendships, and is dedicated to promoting education.
CFUW has a membership of more than 110 women and is a dynamic organization that welcomes all women who share our core beliefs of education, advocacy, social justice, and equality. For more information, check out the cfuworillia.org website.
