Sydney Mines pub fundraiser draws to a close

SYDNEY MINES — A Sydney Mines fundraiser that brought together three women who lost family members under tragic circumstances has come to an end.

One of the women, Eileen MacNeil, said unfortunately the service wasn’t bringing in enough money to cover expenses.

The weekly pub night began last August as a charitable event for the Community C.A.R.E.S Youth Outreach.

“We’ve had seven dedicated volunteers every week helping us out and support from the community,” said MacNeil.

“We’re proud to say that we’ve raised money for Community Cares and have helped a few families.”

MacNeil estimates that the program has put $7,000 back into the community in less than a year.

The group had partnered with the John J. Nugent Firemen’s Centre to rent its kitchen for a Thursday Night Pub on a fee basis.

Under the agreement, the volunteers handled all food purchases, production and sales, along with arranging entertainment by local musicians who donated their time.

The Sydney Mines area firemen were operating the bar and keeping those proceeds.

MacNeil said unfortunately their rent and what the firemen were making from the bar wasn’t enough to cover their expenses.

She said volunteers are now seeking new opportunities to continue their work to help the society, which offers a variety of programs including healthy meal workshops for young people and young families.

“We’re hoping if somebody has any ideas of fundraisers they’d like to help us with, we’d be more than happy to hear from them,” said MacNeil.

The final Thursday pub night was held last week.