What’s a Wicked Wellie?

April 16, 2016 · 0 Comments

The 7th Annual Wellies to Wishes, in support of the Dufferin Children’s Fund through Dufferin Child and Family Services (DCAFS), will highlight local spirits from Dixon Distillery in Guelph with a new featured drink this year – a “Wicked Wellie.”

By all accounts, the fun just starts there – the popular event will take place April 23 from

7 p.m. -10 p.m. at the Orangeville Agriculture Centre with great food, art and entertainment throughout the evening.

Wellies to Wishes Chair Heather Hayes says the fundraising evening supports all three branches of Dufferin Child and Family Services, Developmental Support Services, Child Protective Services and Youth Mental Health.

The funds, she says, help to sustain “activities and opportunities such as youth perusing post-secondary opportunities, medical equipment or therapies not covered by government and camp opportunities.”

Featured artists this year for the art auction, around which the event is themed, include Nathan Betz, Taylor Ledden, Blythe Gibb, and Everist Prokofiev. All have donated pieces to be auctioned off to the highest bidder by well-known and entertaining auctioneer Bob Severn.

Ms. Hayes says artist Nathan Betz has been working with an individual who has benefited from multiple services at DCAFS, and has created a piece based on his life, as well as a second piece based on a DCAFS employee that has been involved with the client, both professionally and personally for decades.

The art work is slowly being revealed on social media, and Hayes calls it, “A stunning piece portraying their relationship.”

Taylor Ledden, who Ms. Hayes says has been a loyal supporter from the beginning, has contributed a striking work from the crock of a walnut tree: a beautiful bowl filled in with bronze.

Blythe has donated a painting, as well as helped the committee with handmade and painted bird houses. Everist Prokofiev, who came to the group through ‘Framed by Design” in Orangeville, has donated a painting for the auction themed in sunflowers.

Featured entertainers for the evening event will be comedian Michael McCreary and musician Graham Maycock.

Mr. McCreary, an ODSS graduate, returns from Toronto, where he has been studying with Second City Comedy Troup, to support the event.

Eighteen year old singer-songwriter and instrumentalist, Graham Maycock, also a recent graduate of ODSS will perform pop tunes and classic rock, as well as some of his original tunes.

“The community has been such a large part of our event, supporting us with donations and volunteering on the committee, as well as attendance at the event and we thank them for their generous support,” says Ms. Hayes.

Wellies to Wishes takes place April 23 from 7 – 10 p.m. at the Orangeville Agriculture Centre, 247090 Side Rd 5, Mono. Tickets are $60 each and can be purchased on line or at DCAFS.

By Marni Walsh