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Ugly Sweater Bowling Party spares $4,050 for Sharing Place

Support comes at critical time for organization, says executive director

The eighth annual Ugly Sweater Bowling Party raised $4,050 for the Sharing Place Food Centre on Friday night.

The event at Orillia Bowl sold out of all 36 lanes in less than two hours when tickets went on sale Nov. 1.

“I was ecstatic that day,” said event organizer Derick Lehmann. “I knew we would sell out, but to have it happen in less than two hours shows me the anticipation, love and support people have for this event.”

The event was a mix of fun, excitement and support for a local charity.

“It does all the best things,” Lehmann said. “It’s a win-win for everybody.”

The high-energy event gives community members an excuse to put on an ugly Christmas sweater while celebrating the holiday season.

“People love dressing up to have fun,” Lehmann said. “The night isn’t even based on competition; it’s just an activity that can fill up two hours having a good time with a team of friends and family.”

The Ugly Sweater Bowling Party has become a holiday tradition for many.

“It’s pretty cool to hear that from families, for sure,” Lehmann said.

Since it began, the event has raised more than $24,000 for the Sharing Place. This year’s goal was $3,000.

“It’s exciting every year hitting that mark,” Lehmann said. “It’s a very large donation that goes a long way.”

The Sharing Place is the charity of choice for the event because Lehmann admires how the organization distributes money and food to so many people.

“They are able to stretch every dollar really far with the different partnerships they have with the different grocery stores,” he said. “It means a lot that it positively affects a number of families throughout Christmas and into the new year.”

Lehmann thanks bowlers, local businesses, and everybody who contributes to the event each year.

“It’s me pounding the dirt and asking for donations,” he said, “but without people saying yes and providing prizes and donations, it wouldn’t be such a big community event.”

Chris Peacock, executive director of the Sharing Place, says the Ugly Sweater Bowling Party is a fun event for people during a time that can be stressful.

“It’s nice to mix it up and have a fun evening with fellow community members who want to give back and support Orillia and people who are food insecure,” he said.

The Sharing Place depends on consistent annual events such as the Ugly Sweater Bowling Party.

“It allows us to invest in good, healthy food for our community,” he said.

Now, more than ever, the Sharing Place needs community support.

“We are seeing unprecedented increases to our food and operation costs on a daily basis,” Peacock said. “That’s coupled with increasing demand for our programs, our food bank, and school fuel program.”

He says a lot of people in Orillia are finding it hard to put food on the table, which makes the $4,050 donated Friday night a big deal.

“When we are able to receive support of this volume, they are impact-making donations that allow us to essentially run our programs,” he said.

Peacock thanks Lehmann and everybody who supported the Sharing Place through Friday’s event.

“Derick is awesome,” he said. “He’s an individual who really cares about our community and is always doing something unique and different to give people something to celebrate.”


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Tyler Evans

About the Author: Tyler Evans

Tyler Evans got his start in the news business when he was just 15-years-old and now serves as a video producer and reporter with OrilliaMatters
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