Over $10,000 raised at Hearts Wide Open for Autism this year

April 26, 2018 · 0 Comments

Written By Marni Walsh

Deanna Avison the founder of Hearts Wide Open for Autism and her Co-Chair Megan Young of Shelburne Golf and Country Club are proud to announce that $10,289.08 has been raised from their Charity Fundraising Murder Mystery that was held April 7th.

Thanks to sponsors and supporters “our local elementary schools and high school will be receiving funds to help purchase learning devices and tools to assist their students,” says Ms. Avison.

The mysterious entertainment for the evening was Diamonds, Death and Second Chances performed by “Murder for Hire,” a mystery theatre company out of Kitchener. With a 1960’s and 70’s theme, the audience was encouraged come dressed in the era for the evening of fun and fundraising, while the Shelburne Golf and Country club served up a delicious chicken dinner to accompany the mysterious plot. Music by DJ Master Mix spinning tunes from the 1960’s followed the show.

Since the inaugural Hearts Wide Open for Autism charity evening, the organization has raised over $24,500 to purchase equipment to assist children with autism and other challenges in local schools. These funds help provide accessories such as sensory items, adjustable desks, headsets, learning material and much more that the children require to help cope and learn during their day at school.

Deanna Avison is inspired year after year by her twin grandchildren with autism. “What started out as a dream to make a difference for children with autism and other special needs has now become a reality,” she says. “Together we are making a big impact on these beautiful children by helping them learn easier, and overcome their fears and struggles at school with the devices that we supply with the funds raised.”

“This year we raised funds for all five schools in Shelburne; we have donated to the four elementary schools in the past, and now we are proud to be able to include Centre Dufferin High School,” says Ms. Avison. Proceeds will be donated to the Upper Grand Learning Foundation for the Special Education Program in Shelburne’s local schools.

“We are making a huge difference because of wonderful people with generous hearts,” says Deanna Avison. The organizers would like to send out their gratitude to sponsors for their support. “We are so very blessed and grateful for all of you,” says Ms. Avison, “You have made a huge difference for our children with Autism.”

Sponsors of the event included: GP Carpentry, Shelburne Transporter, iPro Realty, Stock Transportation, Lennox Farm Ltd., Rawlco Service Inc. and Shelburne Family Chiropractic.
Table sponsors for the event included: Bill McLaren, John Widdes, M&M Food Market, Scott Reinhardt Trailers, Auto Centre Dufferin, John’s No-Frills, Zehr’s Orangeville, Blackies Off-Season Storage, The Grime Team, Dr. Margaret and Terry Hurst, Dr. Brian Ferguson, TD Canada Trust – Shelburne, Crewson Insurance, Shelburne Freelancer and McBride Automotive.

Silent Auction donations came in from: West Jet, Shamrock Lodge, Hockley Valley Resort, Nottawasaga Inn, Scandinavia Spa, Duncan Paterson, Brenda and Craig McKenzie, Trillium Ford, Granny Taught Us How, Lana Pullen Photography, Steve Baker Magic Shows, Dairy Queen, Sunset Grill, School Days Cafe, Dufferin Blooms, Booklore, Happy Dragon, Blue Bird Cafe, First Choice Haircutters, Shoeless Joes, Giant Tiger- Shelburne, Dr. Hurst, Shelburne Town Pharmacy, Home Depot, Swiss Chalet, Canadian Tire, Little Caesar’s, Korsten Jewellers, Roy’s Service Centre, Shoppers Drug Mart, Wild Wings, More Than Just Baskets, M & M Food Market-Orangeville, Michaels, St. Louis Bar & Grill, Global Pet Foods, Main Street Cafe, TSC, Lisa at Sweetlegs, Lennox Farms, Chapman’s, Hearth & Leisure, Wicked Shortbread, Jelly Cafe, Clorox, Bulk Barn, Klip Me Kate, Melanie Meyers, Tim Hortons, Sobeys Orangeville, Dr. Magdar, Fred’s Tires, The Chocolate Shop, DMC Computers, Boston Pizza, Bos Socs, Northern Reflections, Bin There Dump That, Ferguson Family, Erika Williamson, Tammy Wilson, Amanda Pratt, Winners , Louise Marcoux Phillips Yoga Session, and Robyn Plumb.

The 4th Annual Hearts Wide Open for Autism, including “Mystery on the High Seas” by Murder for Hire, will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2019.