Relly returning to the roof May 5
It’s almost time for Relly to get back on the roof.
Paul Rellinger will be hoisted atop The Brick on May 5 to start his annual Relly on the Roof fundraiser.
The writer and longtime newspaper editor raises money for Habitat For Humanity Peterborough and Kawartha by spending 48 hours on the Lansdowne Street store’s roof each year.
This year marks Rellinger’s seventh year on the rooftop for the non-profit organization. Habitat helps low-income families build and own their own houses.
Rellinger will be lifted onto the roof at noon on Friday and comes down at noon on Sunday.
Though it’s been known to rain or be scorching hot in the past, surviving the weather isn’t the hardest part of the event. During the day, Rellinger is busy with people visiting and bands playing, but at night, it’s a different story.
“After 5 p.m. it’s like you’re the only person in the world. I don’t want to say it’s boring, but it’s a little lonely up there,” he said.
Meanwhile, while Rellinger is on the roof, Habitat volunteers will be collecting donations in the parking lot below. They’ll be hosting a barbecue, too.
There are also live performances on Saturday starting at 1 p.m. Performers include Rick and Gailie Young, Jan Schoute, Terry Guiel, John Crown, Elyse Saunders, and Austin Carson.
In 2016, the fundraiser reached its highest total yet, raising $9,375.65.
With most of the donations typically coming in as coins, Rellinger said he’s always surprised how much it adds up to each year.
“I’m absolutely flabbergasted when it comes back that that little bit of change added up to that much,” he said.