NEWS & FUNDRAISING
News & events
THE GREAT GROAN-UP SPELLING BEE RETURNS!
We are excited to announce that we will be holding our Grate Groan-Up Spelling Bee April 15th 2023 at the Club at Bond Head at 5pm. Tickets are $60/each and include dinner, silent auction, and entertainment. We are also pleased to announce that Terry Fallis will be our honorary chair.
FEATURING TERRY FALLIS
A two-time winner of the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour, Terry Fallis is the award-winning author of eight national bestsellers, including his most recent, Operation Angus (2021). His debut novel, The Best Laid Plans (2008), won the 2008 Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour and was the 2011 winner of CBC Canada Reads. In January 2014, CBC aired a six-part television miniseries based on The Best Laid Plans. Terry Fallis earned a Bachelor of Engineering degree from McMaster University, worked in Federal and Provincial politics and opened a communications consultancy firm.
DETAILS AND DEADLINES:
Cost to enter a spelling bee team: $250
Click here to download registration form
Click here for sponsorship information
Where to buy: Next Step, 16 Victoria St. E. Alliston (*e-transfer also accepted)
Team registration deadline: March 19th
Sponsorship deadline: March 19th
Ticket purchase deadline: March 26th
NEXT STEP RECEIVES $10,000 DONATION!
On Saturday August 13, 2022, Next Step was one of the lucky recipients of a $10,000 cheque from the Royal Canadian Legion Edward MacDonald Branch 499 Angus Ontario. The Angus Legion raised funds through the recent "Catch the Ace" draw and selected several local charities to distribute the winnings amongst. We are beyond grateful to have been chosen to receive this generous donation.
Donations are an important source of funding for Next Step and this donation will be used to further Next Step’s mission to provide FREE Adult Upgrading to increase employability and independence.
Presenting the cheque in the first image from left to right are: Mr. Archie Duckworth Chair Catch The Ace; Mr. Micheal Laine, Board President of Next Step; President Branch 499 Mr. Howie Hipwell; and Co Chair Catch The Ace Mr. Thomas Pridham.
VIRTUAL CHOCOLATE TASTING!
On Friday February 12th at 7PM Next Step held its first Virtual Chocolate Tasting. The turnout was amazing and we raised just over $1200.
You can make a donation to Next Step through PayPal or Canada Helps:
VIRTUAL WINE TASTING!
On Friday October 16th, Next Step hosted its first Virtual Wine Tasting. The event was a fabulous success and we raised over $2500.
Annual EVENTS
Next Step is a not-for-profit organization that is funded in part by the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development. The rest of our funding comes from great people like you! We have several events and thank our wonderful volunteers and sponsors for their support.
THE GRATE GROAN-UP SPELLING BEE
Each April The Bee is held to raise funds to provide the best quality education to our learners here at Next Step. Teams of three, complete with costumes and team name, compete for prizes for Best Spellers, Best Costumes, and Best Team Spirit. The evening combines a traditional spelling bee with a dinner and silent auction. Join us for a night of fun to support a good cause.
VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION BBQ
Each summer we have a bbq for our volunteers as a thank you for their generous support and help. We hand out certificates to our tutors and students.
THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Our Annual General Meeting is a meeting in which the board members and staff account for the previous year’s activities at Next Step. It is attended by board members, staff, members, ambassadors, volunteers, and even students. Members of the public are also welcome to attend. We report on our budget, training, marketing etc. for accountability. For more information please contact us.
