Big Night Out Nets Over $100,000 for BBBS Oxford
The Oxford Auditorium transformed into a phantom-filled woodland of towering watchful trees, sinister greenery and haunting rhythms for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oxford County’s Big Night Out Halloween Bash in October.
Around 500 guests followed BBBS Oxford into The Haunted Hollow on Saturday, October 17 for our largest annual fundraising event. Guests enjoyed a buffet dinner catered by Bere’s in Tillsonburg, silent auction, raffles, a DJ that filled the dance floor and late night snack donated by Boston Pizza Woodstock. One lucky raffle winner walked away with two tickets to anywhere Air Canada flies, thanks to Air Canada Foundation. The night also included a Costume Contest where attendees voted on their favourite for Best Individual, Couple and Group; the winners were the Swedish Chef, Pee Wee Herman & Large Marge, and the Beauty School Dropouts (see attached photos).
Part of the fundraising efforts again this year included an online auction for a furnace with installation courtesy of Select Heating & Cooling. Once we made our way out of The Haunted Hollow and settled back in our office, we are thrilled to announce that the event surpassed our fundraising goal, netting over $100,000 to support our no cost mentoring programs for children and youth in Oxford County.
“Big Night Out is such a fun evening, but its impact reaches far beyond one night,” says Executive Director, Kristen Ralph. “The more than $100,000 raised will help our team recruit and train mentors, support matches and families, and keep our programs free for children and youth across Oxford County. When we do that work well, young people have more opportunities to feel they belong, build confidence and see what is possible for their future. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make this year’s event such a success.”
During the evening’s presentation, we shared a video produced by Power Web Media featuring three, one-to-one matches sharing their experiences and stories; the video can be viewed on BBBS Oxford’s YouTube Channel at https://youtu.be/hNKHmiWVPMA
