Screenwriter comes home to give back for Christmas
Carley Smale hosts a fundraiser Sunday for One Roof
Carley Smale experiences Christmas year-round, whether it’s writing holiday movies or planning a Christmas benefit for those in need.
The Peterborough native is a Christmas-movie screenwriter and the founder of the Warming Room Christmas Party.
She’s got a new movie coming out this month and now she’s gearing up to host the fundraising Christmas party on Sunday.
The fifth annual event is happening at The Venue from 7:30 to 10 p.m.
It’ll have live music by Trenton’s Moon Sugar, dancing and updates on the Warming Room Community Ministries (WRCM)s’ latest projects.
The party is for people 19 and older and it’s pay-what-you-can to get in. Donations over $20 will get a tax receipt. Proceeds support One Roof Community Centre, which is operated by the WRCM. The centre is open 365 days a year and serves two free meals every day, in addition to offering other services.
Smale, 29, first volunteered at the shelter on Christmas Eve in 2014. She said it was an “eye-opening experience” because it’s not what she expected in terms of a shelter.
Smale continued to volunteer at the shelter for another year, before taking a staff position for six months.
Despite living in Toronto, the Crestwood Secondary School graduate continues to support the ministries, whether it’s donating her time or money.
In the past, the Christmas party has drawn up to 200 people and raised up to $14,000.
When Smale isn’t hosting the Christmas gathering, she’s busy writing screenplays for holiday movies.