In From The Cold holiday radio broadcast raises record-breaking $12,957 for YES in Peterborough

In lieu of an in-person concert, a 'best of' selection from the past 20 years of concerts was broadcast on Trent Radio and people were asked to donate

By kawarthaNOW -
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The Convivio Chorus performing at the December 2015 In From The Cold concert at Market Hall in downtown Peterborough. (Photo: Linda McIlwain / kawarthaNOW.com)
The Convivio Chorus performing at the December 2015 In From The Cold concert at Market Hall in downtown Peterborough. (Photo: Linda McIlwain / kawarthaNOW.com)

In From The Cold has raised $12,957.47 for YES Shelter for Youth and Families in Peterborough, despite the pandemic precluding an in-person concert over the holiday season.

According to In From The Cold co-founder and director John Hoffman, this is the largest annual amount raised in the concert’s 21-year history.

“Back in September, I could never have imagined that we’d be able to hold any sort of In From the Cold event, let alone raise almost $13,000,” Hoffman says. “But thanks to the power of Trent Radio, and the generous donations of our sponsors and the individuals who donated through our Canada Helps fundraiser, we continued to be able to support the YES Shelter for Youth and Families.”

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Since 2000, In From The Cold has been a live concert at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre in downtown Peterborough over two nights every December, with each concert recorded for a Christmas Day broadcast on Trent Radio. Thanks to the support of sponsors and with musicians generously donating their time, all ticket proceeds have gone to YES Shelter for Youth and Families. Over 20 years, the fundraising concert has raised over $130,000 for YES.

Because of the pandemic, a live concert couldn’t be held this year. So the founders of In From The Cold — Hoffman along with musicians Susan Newman, Rob Fortin, and Curtis Driedger — reviewed 20 years’ worth of recordings to create a “best of” selection that was broadcast on Trent Radio and streamed on its website on December 11th and 12th. The radio concert was free, but people were encouraged to donate in lieu of purchasing tickets.

Hoffman says he is grateful to Trent Radio — in particular, programming director Jill Staveley — as well as to the concert’s 12 sponsoring businesses and organizations and to all the people who donated.

John Hoffman, co-founder and director of In From the Cold, with Meagan Hennekam, executive director of the YES Shelter for Youth and Families, in 2019. Over the past 20 years, the In From the Cold concert has raised almost $140,000 in support of YES. (Photo courtesy of John Hoffman)
John Hoffman, co-founder and director of In From the Cold, with Meagan Hennekam, executive director of the YES Shelter for Youth and Families, in 2019. Over the past 20 years, the In From the Cold concert has raised almost $140,000 in support of YES. (Photo courtesy of John Hoffman)

“As I’m sure you can imagine, YES has had a very challenging year, so they need community support more than ever,” Hoffman says. “On behalf of all of the In From the Cold community, including the YES Shelter for Youth and Families, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

A registered charity, YES Shelter for Youth and Families in Peterborough serves youth aged 16 to 24 and their families, providing emergency shelter, transitional housing, an alternative high school classroom, a food cupboard, and transitional programs. To support YES, visit yesshelter.ca.

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