For Brantford-Brant residents looking to get a head start on their holiday shopping, Julie Neal, a Royal LePage real estate agent, and Jason Tangora, a Royal LePage broker of record, have teamed up to put on the inaugural Magic of Giving Holiday Market on Saturday, November 2, 2024.
The market will take place at the Best Western Brantford Hotel and Conference Centre, and will be held in support of Lansdowne Children’s Centre.
Neal said that 100 per cent of the proceeds from the two-dollar entry fee and raffle tickets, will be donated to the centre in order to help support its greatest needs.
“I wanted to do something that could bring in some money for them, but that was also nice and fun to do for our community,” explained Neal. “I’m not looking to make any money for myself through this event and so all the vendor fees will go back to the centre and my broker, Jason, has sponsored the event and is covering the cost of the hall. I think overall, we’d just love for this to be a super success so we have a good amount of funds to give back to Lansdowne.”
Neal said that she was inspired to give back to the centre, which provides programs and support for children with physical, developmental and communication needs, based on her own experience with the organization.
“My daughter is nine-years-old and she has special needs. She’s been going to Lansdowne since she was ten months old and so I’ve been involved with the centre ever since then and I’m now on the board for the Lansdowne Foundation,” she said. “I’m a huge supporter of Lansdowne because it’s such an amazing place and it gives me chills just talking about it. It’s just awesome for our community to have those resources to help kids with special needs, with speech delays, and kids with autism. There’s such a large spectrum of children they can help and I don’t know if the community is really aware of everything that they do.”
For those looking to attend, the event will feature around 50 vendors who will be on site selling their wares.
From home decor to miniature music memorabilia, jewelry, pottery, motorcycle novelty items, personalized ornaments and more, there will be plenty of handmade gifts, one-of-a-kind crafts and artisanal products to browse and buy throughout the day.
Neal said that the on site raffle table will feature prizes such as a one night stay at the Cambridge Hotel, business swag, gift cards and gift baskets, and a one night stay at the Windermere House in Muskoka.
“There’s also going to be craft tables for kids, and of course, festive music playing,” said Neal. “I’m also hoping to have hot drinks available so people can walk around and browse with their drinks and there’s also going to door prize bags for the 50 first adult shoppers to take home.”
Overall, Neal said she’s looking forward to the event and can’t wait to see everyone get into the spirit of giving.
“I hope we get a great turnout because not only is it for a great cause, it’s going to be an awesome event and I’m just super excited to see everyone come out and get a headstart on some holiday shopping,” concluded Neal.
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.
