Six years ago, Julia M. Chiarella-Genoni (or Mama Moe as she is known to her blog readers) and several other mother-entrepreneurs decided to create an event that would combine networking, marketing and charity.

“Originally, I thought it would be an easier way to connect and network with other women in business. I kept meeting other young mothers starting out on their own business and thought we should have a different kind of event to maximize on our time and efforts. We were all short on contacts and time, so this seemed like a solution,” said Chiarella-Genoni.

The items sold at the Shopping from the Heart event are made by female entrepreneurs from the community. Vendors sell everything from jewelry to photography services. While the event allows local businesswomen to promote their companies and sell their wares, it also has a very special additional purpose—giving back.

Chiarella-Genoni, like many of the other entrepreneurs at this event, is a mother who ultimately started her business to benefit her kids. For that reason, she wanted to give back to the places that gave to her children in their time of need—The Montreal Children’s Hospital, the Lakeshore Hospital Maternity Ward and the Royal Victoria Hospital NICU.

“This is my ongoing way of saying thank you to those that have and will continue to help my children as well as other moms and children,” she said.

Last year’s event raised more than $5,000 for the three hospitals.

“Considering the event is only a few hours in the evening, once a year, I am very proud. Of course, I would like to give back even more, so this year we are hoping to raise more for the hospitals.”

This year’s event, the sixth edition, will take place April 28, 2016 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Holiday Inn in Pointe-Claire, 6700 Trans Canada. Tickets are $10 and activities for the night include a silent auction, raffle draw, games and more.

For more information visit shoppingfromtheheart.ca.

This article was updated in April 2016