Dream Center drops the needle on first charity record show
September 18, 2025 at 3:11 AM
The Crystal Ridge Dream Center is hosting its first charity record show to raise money for their community kitchen, as well as their youth and music programs which serve over 500.
The one-day vendor market will run Saturday at the Dream Center at 385 Derby Road with admission set at $2. There will also be a barbecue and raffle to help support the centre’s services.
Vendors are expected to offer records, CDs and cassettes.
Gina Middagh, co-founder of the Crystal Ridge Dream Center, said prizes for a raffle have been donated, including items from local vinyl retailers and Niagara-based rock band Honeymoon Suite.
Crystal Ridge Dream Center is a faith-based non-profit organization holding their first charity fundraiser this Saturday. Credit: Niagara Community Foundation“This is our first actual charity event. We wear a lot of hats, but fundraising hasn’t really been one of them,” Middagh told Fort Erie Radio in an interview.
Middagh said proceeds will bolster a community kitchen that serves meals every Tuesday and Friday, a children’s program that draws about 40 kids after school and free music lessons for beginners of any age.
“We’re here to help. If there’s a need, we want to help fill it. If we can’t, we connect people to someone who can,” said Middagh.
Middagh said the idea for the charity record show came from co-founder John Weitner, who has been reselling donated records to benefit the centre and rallied fellow vinyl sellers to organize a larger community fundraiser.
Sponsors for the event include Vinyl Storage Solutions, Roly Poly Records, Old Speakers, and the Vinyl Spa.
Parking will be available in the public lot on Erie Road, a two-minute walk from the building, and volunteer Kyle Middagh will direct drivers to keep Erie Road clear.
Middagh said the goal is to raise awareness and momentum for future fundraisers, including the centre’s annual toy drive closer to Christmas.
While the immediate goal is to raise money for the kitchen and programming, the Dream Center, founded in 2019, also hopes the fundraiser is a step toward future expansion.
“If this dream can come true, many more can as well,” said Middagh.
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About The Author
Andrew Hawlitzky
Andrew is a Niagara community journalist who has covered everything from local politics to annual festivals and breaking news. He works to make local news a platform where community voices lead the conversation. "If you don't like the news, go out and make some!"
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