Community Living Wallaceburg auctioning off Porsche participations
It’s a strange marriage, but all parties are very happy, and fundraising is what unites them.
We’re talking about Community Living Wallaceburg (CLW) teaming up with Porsche Centre London and Red Barn Brewing Co. for a summer of fundraising and fun.
Porsche Centre London offered up a number of special experiences for silent auction for CLW, while Red Barn has produced a special Community Living branded beer and will host special events for CLW and the luxury car dealership.
In regard to the branded beer, consumers can scan the QR code on the can and make a donation to CLW.
Sonia-Michelle De Souza of Porsche Centre London said the dealership is happy to support CLW. The partnership began last year at the CLW golf tournament, but is escalating this year.
“It’s fabulous. I love that we get to help the local community. This is in our area,” she said. “We always like to partner with charities that are part of our beliefs. Our beliefs are that at Porsche we’re dreamers; dream big and dream different and dream on.”
Events up for auction through CLW include two VIP tickets July 12 for Rock the Park in London, access to test drive new 2024 Porsche models on the racetrack at Grand Bend Motorplex, being in a pace car for the Porsche Fun Run from London to Red Barn on Sept. 16, as well as multiple events and pampering for a Sept. 29 golf tournament at Maple City Country Club.
For more details, and to bid, visit getintocommunityliving.com/porsche. Some of the items are already available for bid, while a second phase of the auction will begin in late July.
De Souza said giving people a chance to bid on rare experiences is more fun than just committing a specific dollar amount.
“We have a bunch of really cool things happening. Let’s build this auction. I can help them raise more,” she said. “It’s very rare that you can come to a Porsche event that is built for clients and go test drive the brand new Taycan that’s coming out. Or be part of the Fun Run where you get to be in the pace car, a 911 Carrera. Or how about attending our VIP Lounge at Rock the Park?”
Meanwhile, Red Barn, which hosted a special CLW gathering May 25 with singer Crystal Gage on hand, is proud to support CLW and to be involved in events with Porsche Centre London.
De Souza and Red Barn co-owner Denny Vervaet met as sponsors at the CLW golf tourney last year. They got along and respected each organization’s spirit.
A match between a rural craft brewery and a city luxury car dealership resulted.
De Souza said Red Barn created a custom beer for Porsche Centre London last year.
“Usually when I have events at our place, we’re able to showcase that,” she said.
Vervaet said he’s been a Porsche fan since he was a kid.
“The Porsche brand has been a favourite of mine since I was young,” he said. “And now, when the brand Porsche can work with a brand like ours, we are very humbled.”
The partnership is going a step further. As Porsche releases the EV Taycan, they are also establishing EV charging stations across the country, including two at Red Barn. Vervaet said the stations should be up and running soon, allowing EV owners to recharge their vehicles as they relax and recharge their mental batteries at the brewery.
CLW’s Patricia Peters said the collaboration is all about dreaming.
“It’s a powerhouse. We all have a similar idea – to dream,” she said. “Porsche recognized that last year when we met them at the golf tournament.”
Peters added she’s worked with Red Barn on multiple occasions.
“This all feels like a really good fit. Red Barn is hip, cool, entrepreneurial,” she said. “We’re looking forward to a really good summer.”
