After an evening filled with the sights and sounds of Italy, Habitat Northumberland is getting some help with its affordable housing build programs. 

Thanks to overwhelming community support, Habitat for Humanity Northumberland’s first in-person fundraising event since 2019 was a smashing success, raising more than $14,000 — and made for a magical Italian-themed evening with the ReStore transformed into a courtyard.

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“There are so many people that make an event like this come together, between staff, volunteers, and sponsors,” said Melissa Cranston, Habitat’s community fund development co-ordinator, and one of the lead organizers of the recent “Sunday Dinner” fundraiser.

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“And when things come into place like it did on (this) Sunday (Dinner), it really felt like a magical evening. We are so thrilled that Prep Food Co. took on the challenge of putting on a dinner in our retail store — the food really stood out as the star of the event.”

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In early April, Habitat staff and volunteers welcomed 100 guests at the ReStore for the fundraising dinner. This was the second edition of the dinner fundraiser (pre-COVID-19), with guests enjoying cocktails, dinner, desserts and more, all provided by Cobourg’s Prep Food Co.

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Lead organizer Jason Schmidt, of Schmidt Law Legal Services, alongside Cranston, called the evening a great success, with the $14,000 raised through sponsors, ticket sales and a silent auction. All monies raised are going toward Habitat’s build program in 2022.

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And there were several others, including many sponsors, who stepped up to help with this event — and ultimately, to help Habitat with its homebuilding and home repair programs.​

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A special mention also goes out to Jason Schmidt and Scott McCracken for putting together an amazing silent auction that raised $2,363, added Habitat. It featured gift baskets and certificates from the Thirsty Goose, Sugoi Sushi, the Beamish House, the Ale House, Bualai Taste of Thai, Olympus Burger, Justin’s Pet Store, TD Bank Cobourg, Trattoria Gusto, the El and Taps and Corks, and Cucina Urbana.