GUELPH – The Guelph Black Heritage Society (GBHS) has announced its annual holiday fundraiser: Celebrate, Give & Groove: GBHS Holiday Fundraiser with Andrew Craig & Friends.
Officials say it will be an evening of music, community and compassion – a night of soulful music, festive cheer and giving back.
“Enjoy live entertainment by the acclaimed Andrew Craig & Friends, plus delicious appetizers, drinks, and small bites,” they invite.
The fundraiser will take place at the Guelph Youth Music Centre, at 75 Cardigan St., Guelph at 7pm on Dec. 6.
Tickets are $75 per person.
Proceeds will benefit two causes: the GBHS’s Heart and Soul Campaign and Hurricane Melissa releif.
The Heart and Soul Campaign is dedicated to preserving Heritage Hall, a historic landmark built by formerly enslaved Black settlers.
This campaign funds restoration, accessibility upgrades, and cultural programs, ensuring Heritage Hall remains a vibrant hub for education and celebration of Black history in Guelph.
Hurricane Melissa relief will bring aid to Caribbean communities impacted by the devastating Category 5 storm.
Donations will support ShelterBox, a global disaster relief organization delivering emergency shelter and essential supplies to families displaced by disasters.
“We’re excited to bring people together for an evening of joy and generosity,” stated program coordinator Denise Francis in a press release.
“Your support strengthens our mission and extends compassion to those in need.”
Tickets are available now at tinyurl.com/2vm84nnd.
The GBHS is a registered charity, and tax receipts will be issued for donations greater than $25.
Established in 2011, the mission of the Guelph Black Heritage Society is to restore and maintain Heritage Hall, originally known as the British Methodist Episcopal (BME) Church, built in 1880 by formerly enslaved Black individuals and their descendants who arrived in the area via the Underground Railroad.
The building is a cultural community centre promoting Guelph and Wellington County’s distinctive place in Southwestern Ontario’s rich Black heritage.
