Two local organizations have joined forces this year to help those most in need in the community.
Barrie Families Unite (BFU) provides people with food, clothing and household essentials, while R&R Programs for Restoring Relationships offers group programs where people can learn conflict resolution community development tools and strategies.
They are hosting an event called Home Sweet Home Fundraiser: Enhancing Homes, Strengthening Communities on Thursday, Oct. 17 at Traditions Banquet Hall, located at 142 John St., in Barrie.
The event, which is described as an “interactive live auction,” will see local trades people and businesses auctioning off their services and items in an effort to raise $20,000 in an effort to help “expand the web of social support in Simcoe County,” explain organizers Nikki Glahn and Amber McAuley.
Local contractors and tradespeople will be donating everything from painting services and bathroom renovations to general handyman stuff, said McAuley, noting items range in value from $500 all the way up to a $5,000 donation from a local contractor.
“There are no strings attached and it’s fun,” she added. “It's a bit of a cheeky fun night out for (people) to go out with friends or their spouse. We make it interactive and there are lots of laughs … and it’s all for a good cause.”
The pair have set a fundraising goal of $20,000 through both the auction and ticket sales.
“We're very optimistic that we will take home our goal or at least get really close,” said McAuley, noting funds raised from the event will help people access essential services such as food, clothing and community support programs in the community.
“Twenty-thousand dollars can stretch a long way. We would be able to reach hundreds of people with our services because there's group programs as well as the actual deliveries of Good Food Boxes and things like that. a little bit goes a long way in this scenario," she added.
"We are dedicated to empowering individuals through our wraparound support programming, ensuring they have the essential resources they need to thrive," said Glahn. "By having BFU address the basic needs and then partnering with an organization like R&R, we enable people to focus on rebuilding and strengthening their relationships, fostering a hopeful future."
A new thing this year, said McAuley, is that the winning bidder can actually “pay it forward” and gift their item to someone else.
“For example, if someone doesn't necessarily need an electrician for any project that they have going on they can still bid on that electrician and pay it forward so that it can go to a household that may not be able to afford an electrician as easily. This is an element that I'm really excited about,” said McAuley.
For more information, including how to purchase tickets, check out the event’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
