Keeping it CLASS-y: Large turnout for community fundraiser at Boston Pizza (18 photos)

It was a packed house Thursday night at Boston Pizza Bradford for their first ever dinner fundraiser in support of Community Living Association for South Simcoe (CLASS). 

The night featured food, musical entertainment by Sophia Fracassi, raffle pirzes, a silent auction and a few special guests - Mayor Rob Keffer and CLASS Celebrity Matthew Walker. 

Barbara Barta Marketing Manager of CLASS was one of the organizers of the event, she was happy to see the great turnout for the dinner.

"We're just here to spread the word that Bradford is a place where CLASS operates programs and services and we're just wanting to come on our for a community event."

CLASS is a non-profit, charitable organization who support individuals with intellectual disabilites living in the South Simcoe Area. They are based out of Alliston, but offer a number of programs to the Bradford community, including adult day and after school programs, as well as summer and March Break camps.

Their Semi-Independent-Living (SIL) program is another program for those residents who need just a little bit of help with certain day-to-day tasks like budgeting, cooking or getting to and from appointments.  

There are also three group homes in Bradford that CLASS services. 

Bradford resident, Matt Walker says he uses some of the services at CLASS and was instrumental in helping with the organzing of the event all while handing out raffle tickets, greeting guests and making sure everyone was enjoying themselves. 

"This is my way to give back," he said. 

Boston Pizza Bradford donated 15 percent of all food sales and $800 was raised in the silent auction, which featured an array of prizes generously donated by local businesses and organizations in town. 

Barta says turnout for the event was amazing. 

"The support was so strong that we could have filled the place twice!" she gushed. 

She said they hope to do another fundraiser soon, "in the warmer months, were we can use the outdoor patio space."

To learn more about CLASS and their programs, check out their website here.