Get out your leather pants and best rock-and-roll duds, because this year’s theme for the Spirit of Collingwood Tour is rock legends.
The 10th annual Spirit of Collingwood Tour is rolling into town on Oct. 26, starting at the Alpine Ski Club. All the funds raised are going to support Home Horizon Barbara Weider House for youth who are at risk of homelessness in the South Georgian Bay area.
As usual, the event includes a theme but also features local spirits, gourmet tastings from local restaurants, live and silent auctions, a dinner and dance. Last year, the auction alone raised $61,000.
“We’re hoping to meet or beat that this year,” said Pam Osmond, Home Horizon’s fund development manager.
Attendees are asked to dress up according to the rock legends theme, and the bus will make stops at Agnora, Black Bellows, Larder & Lounge and Willow Room and will end where it began at the Alpine Ski Club for the dinner and dance.
Home Horizon operates the Barbara Weider House as a transitional housing program for youth experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The house is staffed all day and night and every day of the week. There are 10 beds in the house and all are full with a waiting list – which Osmond calls “the warm list,” – which is currently sitting in the double digits.
Home Horizon's youth outreach program connects youth with other housing service organizations in the community, focusing on work with youth who are facing barriers such as poverty, mental health, addictions, sex trafficking, racism, and trauma. Osmond said the organization is currently supporting about 160 youth per month through outreach alone.
“We’re reaching youth where they’re at and let them know about our services,” she said.
The organization’s overall budget is about $800,000 per year, the majority of which is raised through fundraisers and donations.
Osmond said the event typically sells out every year, and as of now there are about 60 tickets remaining.
To learn more or reserve your tickets, click here.
