A recent concert in Haliburton has garnered a standing ovation for Haliburton County’s Places for People.
Minden-based Places for People (PFP) says its August 31 event at Haliburton Forest and Wild Life Reserve Logging Museum raised $2,500 through ticket sales and raffles in support of local affordable housing efforts.
The fundraiser, featuring the music of Charlie Angus and The Grievous Angels, drew a crowd of 150 for the event that was spearheaded by the Highlands Summer Festival, the Haliburton Speakers Series, and the Haliburton County Folk Society.
Fay Martin, P4P founder and board member, said the evening was a grand success.
“It was a marvellous response,” Martin told kawarthaNOW. “It was much more than I thought we’d make, because that was a six-piece band so the overall cost for the event was pretty high but the community that came out … was a very generous audience.”
The 50/50 draw and toonie auctions were also “very graciously supported,” Martin added.
“It was one of those incredible outflowings of support that are quite common in Haliburton County for issues that people feel strongly about.”
P4P provides affordable housing across Haliburton County and recently purchased 12 additional units allowing all tenants to remain in their homes at an affordable rent. P4P uses fundraising dollars to cover expenses related to its volunteer-run board, maintain its rental units, and pay down capital debt.
Angus, who leads the six-member alt-folk country band Grievous Angels, is also the MP for Timmins-James Bay and champions social issues, including the dire need for affordable housing.
“We were honoured to play for such a great audience in such a great venue,” Angus said in a media release. “We will have really great memories of Haliburton’s hospitality.”
Also on the agenda for the night were the toonie auctions, that featured various items up for grabs including a Haliburton Forest gift certificate, tickets for a “Telling our Stories Speaker Series” event, and tickets for a Haliburton County Folk Society concert.
Founded in 2007, PFP has provided homes for more than 100 people in the community since 2010. Its mission statement is to create and manage quality affordable rental housing in Haliburton County, “fostering an environment in which our tenants can thrive.” P4P has rental units in all four municipalities of Haliburton County.
For more information about Places For People and to volunteer or donate, visit www.placesforpeople.ca.
