More than 450 local kids will benefit from a country shindig being hosted this weekend by the Big Brothers Big Sister of 91原创.
Dubbed the Big Social, this new western-themed fundraiser being hosted at The Koop is expected to attract upwards of 200 guests anxious to help fund youth mentorship in 91原创.
The Saturday, Oct. 5, event will feature live performance by 91原创鈥檚 own singer-guitarist Amy Bakker, Surrey鈥檚 Tony Stevens 鈥� who was the 2024 nominee of the Canadian Country Music Awards 鈥� and award-winning 91原创 sing and songwriter Karen Lee Batten.
Roslyn Henderson, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of 91原创, said the fundraiser is aimed at raising awareness within the community about all that her organization does for children in 91原创.
鈥淲e鈥檙e hoping this event allows us a chance to connect with some community members who aren鈥檛 familiar with our program and don鈥檛 understand what it is that we鈥檙e accomplishing, or what our impact is on the community,鈥� Henderson said.
鈥淚t gives everyone a chance to recognize that there are a number of different ways to support the youth through our youth mentoring programs and by coming to events like this it allows us to continue to offer the programs that we currently do,鈥� she noted.
It is the first time BBBS is hosting this fundraiser, however Henderson hopes it will not be the last, anticipating a large turnout.
鈥淥ur goal is to raise between $15,000 to $20,000 and have 100 per cent of its proceeds go towards directly supporting the organization鈥檚 youth in 91原创,鈥� she explained.
The evening kicks off with two hours of sampling local craft brews and wines from Smugglers Trail Caskworks, Steamworks Brewery, Roots & Wings Distillery, Mainland Whiskey, Hester Creek Estate Winery, Arterra Wines, and more. The tastings will be followed by games and a meal provided by Black Walnut Catering Company.
Bakker will perform between 6 to 8 p.m., during the beverage tastings.
Stevens will be second on stage, featuring his recent hit single 鈥淲hiskey in Colorado,鈥� which reached the Top 10 for iHeart Country Canada.
Batten, a top 10 finalist in Canadian Idol, will perform her hit single 鈥淒rinkin鈥� Song.鈥� Her talents have landed this local artist at the top of the country music scene, including earning her the BCCMA female artist award eight times.
Murrayville Town Pub helped Big Brothers hone in on the venue, which Henderson said was perfectly suited for their event.
鈥淭hey have been helping us find all the different vendors who will be there doing the sampling and the pouring. They had attended events at The Koop, and recommended we go and check it out. When we saw it, it was a perfect feel for what the event was hoping to accomplish, in terms of being an intimate and fun way to be able to connect with the community,鈥� she said.
The Koop will offer a 鈥済reat chance to see artists in a small, and inclusive environment,鈥� Henderson added.
鈥淲e鈥檝e been fortunate that we鈥檝e had some great performers agree to come to this event. There鈥檚 definitely some appeal for everyone in the community. They have been getting a lot of acclamation on the radio recently, as well as recognition at local events.鈥�
The night will include a cash bar, games such as pool, corn hole, and 50/50. A gift card prize raffle will also be held to raise money for the various BBBS mentorship programs offered in 91原创.
Tickets are $75 each, and include a meal of pulled pork sandwiches and potatoes. The Oct. 5 event is restricted to those 19 or older.
Tickets are available .
