JASON SETNYK
A sold-out Winter Wonderland Casino night at the RCAFA Wing in Cornwall turned holiday fun into support for women and children in crisis. About 100 guests gathered for games, prizes, and live music, raising $5,900 for Maison Baldwin House.
The fundraiser was organized by realtors Kelssie Oakes and Sophie Goudreau, with the band IduNNo – featuring Gary Benoit and Wayne Cooper – on stage. Guests tried their luck at gaming tables, entered draws including a $500 basket of cheer, and took home prizes donated by dozens of local businesses and supporters.
“Honestly, it turned out amazing,” Oakes said. “The energy in the room, the support from everyone who showed up, and the generosity throughout the night were beyond what we could’ve hoped for. It felt organized, meaningful, and full of genuine community spirit.” She added that the evening also created space for people to share personal experiences with Maison Baldwin House. Oakes said the shelter’s role goes far beyond emergency beds. “Baldwin House is incredibly important to our community. They provide safety, shelter, and support for women and children when they need it most,” she said, noting that renovations are underway on a second building that will house women escaping human and sex trafficking situations.
Co-organizer Goudreau was quick to shift the spotlight to Executive Director Debbie Fortier. “Debbie is the true angel for doing what she does, and she does it so well, not to mention for 43 years,” she said. “We’re just behind you, helping you with the new house you’ll soon be opening.” In a message to the organizers, Fortier said the evening left a deep impression. She recounted being approached by a man who had stayed at the shelter as a child with his mom, and a woman who remembered spending a meaningful Christmas there with her family. Both, she said, had never forgotten the kindness they received – a reminder of how lasting the work of Maison Baldwin House can be.
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