Business After Hours host, Judy Rich (centre) with Legal Assistants, Christie Patterson (left) and Candace McGregor.

Hub Staff

The Saugeen Shores Chamber of Commerce's Business After Hours (BAH) was back after a summer break and Judy Rich, Barrister and Solicitor on High Street in Southampton was host to the latest event on September 15.

Catering the event was the Highview Restaurant, also located on High Street in Southampton, laying out a delicious spread of appetizers, which Noelle Barone, owner of Highview, along with husband Eugene, said was a sample of what they normally serve for lunch. Small deli-sandwiches, rice fritters with pesto cheese, skewers, meats, breads and cheeses were just a few of the treats on offer with small peach prosecco cheesecakes and chocolate cupcakes for those with a sweet tooth.

Judy Rich's charity of choice was Our Kids, Bruce Grey Child & Family Services program, which helps children and their families in Grey and Bruce living mostly under the poverty line. “We picked this charity because we're hoping to shed some exposure to homelessness and poverty in kids because I think people don't see kids as victims of being in poverty,” explained Rich.

Senior Fund Development Officer of Bruce Grey Child & Family Services Foundation, Cindy Wheeler explained more about the charity.

“Over 700 children across Bruce and Grey that are struggling every day, their families are living below poverty in most cases, they're working poor and we’re trying very, very hard to give them a hand up,” Wheeler said, explaining that they provide the children with such things as backpacks, snow suits, groceries, and even registering them for summer camps. “We're trying to allow these families and children to change a cycle. They've only ever known it one way and they cannot believe that people are out in the community that are so caring.....and make a difference.”

A total of $192 was raised during the evening for the charity, which Doug Johnston, Broker of Record at Royal LePage D.C. Johnston, dollar matched. “It's a great cause,” said Johnston, who also praised the BAH events. “These are such great events. There is so much work goes into them,” he said.

Door prizes, donated from several local businesses, were drawn and handed out to winning guests, including gift certificates, wine, advertising and even an estate planning package from host, Judy Rich.

The next BAH event will be held in October and Physio III in Port Elgin will be the host.

Pat O'Connor (right) with a plate of delicious food, prepared by Noelle Barone, owner of Highview Restaurant, Southampton, who catered the September Chamber event.

Saugeen Shores Chamber of Commerce's Carla Pepe (left) with Cindy Wheeler, Senior Fund Development Officer of Bruce Grey Child & Family Services Foundation and Doug Johnston, Broker of Record at Royal LePage D.C Johnston Realty who dollar matched the evening's charity donations.

Door Prize winners, Christy Sylver (left) of Royal LePage D.C Johnston Realty who won an estate planning package from Judy Rich and Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre Director and Curator, Cathy McGirr (right) who won wine from Bayshore Broadcasting.

A selection of food available at September's Business After Hours, catered by Highview Restaurant in Southampton.