Community Living takes 400 guests to tropical paradise at Leisureplex

While the cold weather is arriving outside, the inside of the Fort Erie Leisureplex was a tropical paradise on Saturday night.

It was the 10th run of Community Living Fort Erie’s annual fundraiser held in the winter months where the food and culture of a different part of the world is celebrated.

This year’s sold-out event was Christmas in the Caribbean, part of the non-profit organization’s 67th annual general meeting.

The Christmas Around the World theme was created 13 years ago and there were three years where it was put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

About 400 people attended the event, a fundraiser to assist with capital needs such as the replacement of a wheelchair accessible van.

Board chair Betty Talbot said the event is a big part of a new van being purchased each year.

Two new vans were acquired earlier this year, both with a cost of about $80,000.

“We have to have accessible vans for every one of our locations,” said Talbot, adding that Community Living Fort Erie has eight sites in town.

The event also raises money for a fund that provides financial assistance to individuals supported by Community Living Fort Erie who have a venture they’d like to explore, such as a lawn care business. For example, they could apply to receive funding to purchase a lawnmower.

The money has been used in the past to help someone with travel expenses related to competing as a bowler in the Special Olympics.

It also helped a woman become registered in cooking classes.

“It’s about individual development and inclusiveness,” Talbot said in an interview Sunday.

The event had a fundraising goal of $50,000 but it was not known Sunday if it had been met.

Community Living Fort Erie is also in need of a new building. A fundraising campaign for this project will be ramping up in the near future focused on that project, said Talbot.

“Everybody has such a good time and loves it,” said Talbot, adding that some local businesses treat it as a staff Christmas party.

Talbot said the board and the organization are incredibly grateful for all the event sponsors.

It’s also appreciated that many do more after they’ve handed over a cheque.

“It’s so nice the community gets involved, and they come out to the event as well,” said Talbot, adding that raffles and draws on Saturday are a major component of the fundraiser.

There were about 100 gift baskets up for grabs on Saturday, as well as a draw to win a trip for two to anywhere provided by WestJet, which was won by Welland resident Matthew Cromack.

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