Big Night Out a Big Success

Tuesday, 29 October 2019 at 10:13

The Big Night Out Charity Ball raised over $103,000 this year for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oxford.

WOODSTOCK - The Big Night Out was a Big Success this year raising over $103,000.

All of the money raised at the event will go towards the many programs offered by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oxford County. Resource Development Coordinator Liz Wismer Van-Meer says they didn't quite reach their goal but they are still thrilled with the results.

"We definitely raised more money this year than we did last year, which is a huge accomplishment for us and it is something we are very excited about and very thankful for all of the support we received this year."

The theme on Saturday night was Old Hollywood and Wismer Van-Meer says it was great to see so many people dress up.

"We had a great night, we had close to 400 people attending, we did old hollywood and it looked fantastic. All Celebrations supported us this year and they really brought us into old hollywood with a red carper, old film reels and all kinds of fun things to make it look like old hollywood."

Ferguson Drive did an amazing job once again and the DJ kept everyone dancing when they would take a break. They also set a new fundraising record at the silent auction this year. Another highlight of the night was the video featured the Big Brother, Little Brother match of Jerry and Jimmy, who have been a match for 48 years now and still have play a big role in each other lives.

The Big Night Out is the biggest fundraiser of the year for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oxford and Wismer Van-Meer explains why they need to host big fundraiser's like this.

"Right now we have about 11 programs that we offer through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oxford County and those programs are completely free to the young people and families who use them. We have absolutely no cost allocated to what we provide to families in Oxford County. So for us to continue to provide these programs the way we do, we need this funding. We do not receive ongoing Government funding and we rely heavily on grants and funding we receive through different groups and organizations, such as United Way, but a big chunk of that, also comes from our fundraising, so that is why an event like this is, is so crucial for us to continue to offer those, so that is why we want to to expand and make sure we are reaching all of Oxford County and even grow on those programs."