4th Annual ‘Hearts Wide Open for Autism’ fundraiser rakes in more than $13,000

Written By MARNI WALSH

The 4th “Hearts Wide Open for Autism” fundraiser was a great success again this April, with the organization raising $13,015 at their annual Dinner and Murder Mystery Evening. 

The theme this year was Murder on the High Seas, and the funds raised bring the overall grand total to over $37,500 in just four years.

Ticket holders were treated to a delicious chicken dinner at the beautiful Shelburne Golf and Country Club, while being entertained by the antics of Murder for Hire players out of Kitchener. 

The mystery revolved around a pirate ship which collides with a cruise ship - complete with a Captain and his Cruise Director, who must deal with Pirate Pugwart and his parrot.

“This annual event would not be possible without our many sponsors, silent auction donators, families and friends,” says the founder of the organization, Shelburne's Deanna Avison. “Thank you to Westjet for their generous donation of ‘The Gift of Flight,' and all those who made donations, including a very special thank you to Shelburne Branch 220 of the Royal Canadian Legion for the $500 donation, as well as Clorox Canada which also donated $500.”

Appreciation also goes out from Ms. Avison to additional sponsors,”This would not possible without your support,” she says.

Those businesses she would like to recognize include: GP Carpentry, Shelburne Transporter, iPro Realt, Rawlco Services, The Mullin Group Royal LePage, Blackies Storage, Lennox Farms, Main Street Family Denta, M & M Food Market, Scott Reinhart Trailer, Auto Centre Dufferi, Bill McLare, TD Canada Trust Shelburn, John Widde, John's No Frill, Vivid Hair Studio - Nelly Pont, Trisha Linton Cares TL, Dr. Brian Ferguson Chiropratic, Zehr's Orangeville, Shelburne Family Chiropratic, McBride Automotiv, Stutz, Brown and Self, Trainer Games Shelburne and Margorie Grime

The winner of the Westjet ‘Gift of Flight', presented on April 6 was Peter Reynolds of Orangeviile. 

“A very special thank you is extended to Megan Young, Shelburne Golf and Country Club; DJ Mastermix - Michael Roberts; the Murder For Hire Troupe; Sherri-Lyn Ferguson; Nelly Ponte; Beatrice Reed; Brenda Haines; Cindy McKenna; 101.5 myfm Orangeville; Country 105 Shelburne; and all those who helped sell Westjet tickets,” says Ms. Avison.

Deanna Avison, who was inspired to begin the event to help children, such as her twin grandchildren, who have autism, says, “We will be back again next year - Saturday, April 4th, 2020. Thank you for opening your hearts to children with autism.”