Talent pours onto Lindsay school stage to help the region’s homeless
A bounty of area talent will take the I.E. Weldon Secondary School stage in support of local efforts to address homelessness.
The Weldon Green Advocates group is holding a coffee house on Thursday to raise funds for A Place Called Home. The event is in the school cafeteria and runs from 2:45 to 5 p.m.
Since its inception several years ago, the Green Advocates group has worked to raise awareness and funds in support of local issues involving social injustice and the environment, explained member Sage Stapleton.
Donations have been made to places such as Women’s Resources, BGC Kawarthas and A Place Called Home courtesy of fundraisers such as bake sales, candy grams and sock drives. The group has also supported international crises through donations to the Canadian Red Cross.
With no shortage of local talent in the school and the greater community, the group decided a talent show was the perfect fundraising event, said fellow advocate Leah Roxborough.
“We’re really fortunate to have so many step forward to take part in this (coffee house),” said Roxborough, adding it’s hoped by inviting the Kawartha Lakes community into the school the fundraiser can have an even bigger impact.
A range of musical acts have been scheduled, including up-and-coming Peterborough singer Georgia Rose and Tate Smith as well as a return-from-retirement performance by music teachers Wally Koekebakker and Eric Smeaton.
Lindsay’s own Denis Grignon will get the audience laughing with his above-the-waist comedic stylings. The program will be emceed by I.E. Weldon alumnus Colton Eddie.
A Place Called Home fund development co-ordinator Jennifer Lopinski will open the come-and-go event with a few words introducing the homeless shelter and their goals in the community.
“A Place Called Home is always in need of donations in order to support and provide for Lindsay’s homeless population,” noted group staff adviser Julie Hendren.
“The Weldon Green Advocates have chosen this non-profit organization to support because we believe that homelessness in our community is an issue that needs to be brought more attention.”
Complimentary coffee, tea, and hot chocolate will be provided along with freshly baked treats, made by some of Weldon’s students.
Admission to the coffee house is free, but donations of cash or nonperishable food and personal hygiene products would be appreciated.