Homeless shelter turns to storybooks for fundraising and awareness inspiration

Harry Potter lived in a tent. Elsa ran away from home.

These heroes of children’s literature were homeless for a time.

It is their stories that will help bring understanding and awareness to the issue of homelessness in Collingwood.

Out of the Cold Collingwood is preparing to host a Storybook Soiree, the organization’s first major fundraiser, and the night will be centred around the stories of Harry Potter and Elsa and the time they spent homeless.

“We thought it was a neat way to start the conversation about what homelessness actually is,” said Tracy O’Neill, the fundraising lead for the taskforce behind Out of the Cold Collingwood. “This makes it easier to relate to what homelessness is … and there’s so much behind that.”

O’Neill added it was important to her to plan an event that was family-friendly and geared to the demographics of parents with younger kids.

“As a parent, I’m eager to have my kids aware of social issues,” she said. “When kids are aware, they’re more understanding.”

The event will include games, entertainment, sweet and savoury snacks, a cash bar and a silent auction. There will also be some storybook characters roaming and staff and volunteers from Out of the Cold Collingwood available to answer questions.

There will be a photo booth, so costumes and semi-formal attire are encouraged.

O’Neill said the fundraising goal is $18,000.

Tickets are $50 per person, or $160 for a family of four. All children must be accompanied by an adult. The event is taking place on Jan. 11. at Bear Estates. Tickets can be purchased at Collingwood Rock Shop (cash only) or online here.

All funds raised at the event and through ticket sales will go to support the operation of Out of the Cold Collingwood.