The Crossing All Bridges Learning Centre (CABLC) is gearing up to host its fourth annual Witches Night Out fundraising event on Friday, October 18, 2024.
Operating since November 2003, the non-profit organization offers several life-skill programs and activities for adults living with varying developmental abilities that have aged out of the education system.
“When intellectually disabled adults turn 18, oftentimes there’s not a heck of a lot for them to do in the community and so Crossing All Bridges was actually founded by a group of mothers of special needs adults who wanted better for their kids and wanted something for them to do that was constructive,” said Jessica Moran, a Witches Night out committee member and family member of a CABLC participant. “Within the centre, they’ve got all kinds of different activities, and learning opportunities, they do a camp in the summer and they also have a really cool social enterprise called Shredding Barriers which provides employment opportunities for the people that attend the centre. It’s great because they get a paycheck and they also get the opportunity to learn life skills and independence, and they really gain a sense of purpose.”
The annual fundraiser was first started back in 2019 and throughout the years, the event has helped to raise essential funds for various programs and services, as well as day-to-day operational costs.
“In the past, the money has gone towards specific capital campaigns but this year the funds will be going towards the overall centre and so that can look like a lot of different things,” said Moran. “CABLC runs its programs throughout the year so money will go towards those, as well as supplies for the participants but also towards those day-to-day needs to keep the infrastructure up to date and to help them keep things running smoothly.”
Moran said that for those looking to attend the event, guests can expect an overall fun night of mixing and mingling, good food, medium readings, costume contests, raffle opportunities for 80-plus prizes, dancing, and of course… witch encounters.
“Every year the event grows and so we always try to add different elements to elevate the event, but it’s basically a party of 300 women who get together and have a super fun night for a really great cause,” she said. “Everyone comes dressed in witch costumes of all kinds so it’s quite the sight because it’s like a sea of 300 women all dressed up and some people really go all out with makeup and costumes. It’s just an awesome night.”
Overall, Moran said that CABLC and its planning committee are excited for another spooktacular Witches Night Out and are thankful for everyone who works together to make it happen year after year.
“We’re very thankful for our sponsorships and donations from the community this year, it’s been really helpful and we appreciate everyone who’s gotten involved,” she said. “We have a stellar cross-section of awesome individuals, parents, siblings and centre staff that put this on and we just love doing it. We may be busy, but more than that, we’re just so excited for another great event and we can’t wait to see everyone.”
Kimberly De Jong’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative.The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County. Reach her at kimberly.dejong@brantbeacon.ca.
