A local youth centre is hoping to involve Chatham-Kent businesses and community groups in a festive fundraiser this holiday season.
The Dresden Sidestreets Youth Centre is holding the Festival of Trees Fundraiser next month, which will ask local businesses and groups to donate an artificial Christmas tree that can be won by members of the community.
The trees will be decorated by each business and community group with lights and decorations, as well as gifts, gift cards, and merchandise.
Participating businesses and groups will drop off their artificial tree, decorated in the theme of their choice, between November 18-21 at the youth centre on Main Street.
The youth centre will then open to the public November 23-25 and during the Dresden Christmas Night Market. Guests will be able to purchase tickets and place them in a box next to the tree they’d like to win.
The winners will be drawn on November 26.
All proceeds raised through the fundraiser will go towards programming at the Dresden Sidestreets Youth Centre, which relies on fundraisers to continue to operate.
“The youth centre has been around for 23 years this year. I think there’s only three of us left in Chatham-Kent,” said Lori Ouellette, the board president for the youth centre. “We’re excited to still be open for the youth in our community.”
The centre is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to serving youth aged 10-17 from Dresden and surrounding rural communities.
We offer both structured and non-structured programs that are supervised by staff and community volunteers,” said Ouellette. “We have a lot of youth that utilize this centre… it’s just a place where they can come and meet and socialize in a safe environment.”
Any businesses interested in the Festival of Trees Fundraiser can contact the youth centre by emailing christmas@sidestreets.ca by October 15.
