To help raise money for winter gear for vulnerable children in the community, After the Grind Coffee House, along with the Blackfalds Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) are hosting a Community Warmth Fall Fundraiser Thursday evening at the Blackfalds Community Centre.

Sue Bornn is the Manager of Blackfalds FCSS, and she says there are a few programs in town that give families a hand when they need it, and this one is all about letting kids enjoy some outdoor winter activities, with 170 kids already on the list needing proper winter clothing.

“We have a whole series of subsidized programs in Blackfalds. If families are eligible they can access our Leisure Access program, Tools for Schools, the Winter Wear program and Christmas Bureau, and the Winter Wear program is one that support our kids so that they can enjoy winter because we know it gets pretty cold in Alberta.”

There will be beer tasting, food, and live entertainment provided, almost all donated from local businesses, says Bornn.

“We have amazing support. We’ve got donations from some local growers and some local farmers, we’re having chicken kabobs and then we have a series of twelve different desserts that are donated and then we have a live auction for dessert after the dinner.”

As of Tuesday there were only 40 tickets left for this event, which includes beer tasting at 6, dinner at 6:30, followed by live music, and a dessert auction to follow, with almost all of the food donated by local growers and farmers.

They will accept cash donations, but they are not accepting donations of clothing just yet, as they don't have a way to properly clean and manage the clothing.