Fundraiser: Tues, Nov. 24; 1 – 5pm for families, 7 – 11pm evening concert; Tranzac Club 292 Brunswick Ave.
There was a horrible fire on Halloween night that engulfed a building near Bathurst and Dupont and burnt it so badly it needed to be torn down. That building had been home to the Children’s Storefront since 1975. It was a free drop-in centre for parents with babies, toddlers, and pre-schoolers, yes. But one gets the sense that it was much more than just a drop-in centre. It housed a wonderful collection of toys and books and was a community hub. It was an institution that had helped restore the sanity of generations of Annex-area parents.
I used to walk past the Children’s Storefront all the time when I lived around the corner from it. During my first pregnancy I would peer through the windows and wonder if I might someday go there. But (and here I hurt my street cred) I never went. We moved west when Colum was only three months old and I found all the community I could ask for in the Junction. I always did mean to check it out, but now I’ll never have the chance.
I do know that community drop-ins are a real life saver for new parents. They are a refuge from the isolation and loneliness of your home. They are a place to meet other parents and a space for children to socialize. They are heated in the winter and dry on rainy days. They are chalk full of age appropriate toys and books and some days they are the only reason to get dressed.
The Children’s Storefront will be rebuilt but they need support. And when I say support, I mean money. Your money. So drop everything and attend their fundraiser:
TUESDAY NOVEMBER 24th @ the Tranzac Club. 292 Brunswick Ave. MAP: http://tinyurl.com/yhnp3x7
Drop-in family programming from 1pm-5pm — Suggested donation of $5. No one turned away for lack of funds.
FEATURING:
– Magician, Bobby Motta (http://www.bobbymotta.com)
– Balloon artist, Scott Kaija
– Music by Rockabilly Ruby
– Storytelling by Joanne Schwartz, Hilary Leung, Andrew Larsen, Patricia Storms,Plus arts & crafts, light refreshments, and more!
* * *
All Star Evening Concert from 7pm-11pm, doors at 6:30pm — $10
FEATURING:
– Related
– The Strumbellas (http://www.myspace.com/thestrumbellas)
– 9th Planet (http://www.myspace.com/prithisound)
– Abigail Lapell (http://www.myspace.com/abigaillapell)
– Flashlight Radio (http://www.myspace.com/flashlightradio)
– Bellwoods TrinityPlus tunes by DJ Eli!Eli!Eli!, and silent auction featuring donations
from Shameless Magazine, The Walrus, Tightrope Books, Coach House Books, Baby Belly Casting, Paul’s Boutique, Agent Mommy, Random House, Bunch, and so much more!