A record crowd took the time this weekend, under sunny skies, to check out the Chatham-Kent Wedding Show at the John Bradley Centre in Chatham, while raising money for Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Chatham-Kent.
Brides-to-be and more than 300 kids in the programs offered by BBBS were both winners as approximately 700 people attended the one-day event and raised in excess of $20,000.
According to BBBS staffer Toni Martin, the weekend crowd was the largest so far in the event’s history.
“I’m told over 700 people went through, which is the most from past years,” Martin said. “It was a fantastic day, no storms and beautiful weather.”
She said BBBS executive director Nan Stuckey starts working on the event in August, and the agency as whole pulls it all together.
Besides area vendor booths specializing in all things wedding related, the event featured two fashion shows by Patricia M. Productions showcasing fashions for the bride and groom, bridesmaids, groomsmen and honeymoon wear. The fashions were highlighted by beautiful stage décor from To Suit Your Fancy in Chatham.
With no government funding, BBBS is funded 30 per cent by the United Way and relies on a few big fundraisers throughout the year to bankroll the other 70 per cent. Martin said the money raised goes to maintain the programs the agency offers to children; over 300 in 2015.
Programs include matching children with a Big Brother or Big Sister, which is always looking for people willing to commit to three to four hours a week for one year, an in-school mentoring program involving one hour a week for one year, and group mentoring program in schools that involves 1.5 hours per week for seven weeks.
The group mentoring program, Martin said, is particularly great for high school students looking for volunteer hours with a shorter commitment time.
