Sleep Cheap charity event is a go again this year
Niagara residents can book reduced hotel rooms, boost charities
For the first time, Sleep Cheap Charities Reap will run for a full week — Nov. 15 to 21.
Reservations can be made starting Friday at 9 a.m.
The popular annual event allows Niagara residents to book a hotel room at a reduced price, with money raised donated to local charities. The long-standing community tradition has raised more than $2.1 million for local charities since its inception in 2004.
And while it may look different this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mayor Jim Diodati said measures are in place to ensure the event can safely go on.
“We know these are very ex
traordinary circumstances, but after careful deliberation, and in consultation with local hoteliers, we have decided the event should go on,” he said.
“I am confident in the excellent protocols and procedures the hotels, as essential services,
have instituted to safely accommodate Niagara region residents during Sleep Cheap. And I know the struggles that many charities are facing to meet their fundraising targets this year due to cancelled initiatives and events, set against increases in demand for their services.”
Participating hotels and booking information can be found at sleepcheapcharitiesreap.com.
The event is for Niagara residents only. Minimum donations for rooms will remain the same as last year for Sunday through Thursday: $35 a night for a standard room, $45 for a Fallsview room, and $65 for a whirlpool room. Room rates on Friday and Saturday nights will see an extra $10 per night added to the weekday rates. Participants will also be able to book two-night stays this year.
Rooms with access to waterparks will not be available this year due to provincial restrictions. Participants are to contact hotels directly to confirm available amenities and COVID-19 protocols.
In addition to the hotel element of Sleep Cheap, this year will feature Greg Frewin’s Las Vegas-style magical show. Check the Sleep Cheap website for dates, show times and ticket prices.
The Wonderfalls Pass will not be offered this year. In past years, the pass allowed Niagara residents to visit 10 tourist attractions during Sleep Cheap week for $10 a person, or a family pass for up to six people for $30. The money raised went toward making Niagara Falls city parks more accessible.
Meanwhile, the Sleep Cheap Charities Reap committee is seeking applications from charities and registered not-forprofits serving Niagara Falls residents interested in receiving a donation from funds generated by the initiative.
Eligibility requirements and application forms are available on the city’s website, niagarafalls.ca. The application deadline is Nov. 20.