Local shelter receives donated Taylor Swift tickets
Staff at the Busby Centre, a nonprofit organization that supports individuals struggling and living on the streets of Barrie, received a surprise donation on Wednesday in the form of Taylor Swift tickets.
“I love this so much, and this is the ‘Swift Effect,’” said Louise Jackson, the Busby Centre's communications and events director.
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
The ‘Swift Effect’ has seen local organizations and food banks benefit from the star's iconic tour.
Swift often donates to food banks in the cities she visits, with her generosity also influencing others to give back.
When the Busby Centre got the call from Simcoe County resident Brian Brennon wanting to donate his tickets that he won online, the team was in shock.
“It's like the Hail Mary throw that we got these tickets,” said Jackson. “That's when you see the value of, ‘this isn't going into somebody's pocket, this is going to help so many people.’”
The organization is setting up an online auction for the tickets to raise money for its programs that support those struggling on the streets.
“I just thought, ‘you know what, it would be good to give back,’” said Brennan about donating his Eras Tour tickets. “The community's been good to me. I mean, I think sometimes we all focus on what we want and not what we already have.”
“What a generous man. This is something that he could have taken for him and raised money because these tickets are valuable,” added Jackson. “But right away, he called us.”
A message of giving that will see ‘Swifties’ and non-‘Swifties’ come together to make a difference.
The auction is running online on the Busby Centre’s website until 10 p.m. on Friday.
The organization accepts donations year-round.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
W5 Investigates A 'ticking time bomb': Inside Syria's toughest prison holding accused high-ranking ISIS members
In the last of a three-part investigation, W5's Avery Haines was given rare access to a Syrian prison, where thousands of accused high-ranking ISIS members are being held.
Trudeau Liberals' two-month GST holiday bill passes the House, off to the Senate
The federal government's five-page piece of legislation to enact Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's promised two-month tax break on a range of consumer goods over the holidays passed in the House of Commons late Thursday.
Irregular sleep patterns may raise risk of heart attack and stroke, study suggests
Sleeping and waking up at different times is associated with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke, even for people who get the recommended amount of sleep, according to new research.
California man who went missing for 25 years found after sister sees his picture in the news
It’s a Thanksgiving miracle for one California family after a man who went missing in 1999 was found 25 years later when his sister saw a photo of him in an online article, authorities said.
As Australia bans social media for children, Quebec is paying close attention
As Australia moves to ban social media for children under 16, Quebec is debating whether to follow suit.
Notre Dame Cathedral: Sneak peak ahead of the reopening
After more than five years of frenetic reconstruction work, Notre Dame Cathedral showed its new self to the world Friday, with rebuilt soaring ceilings and creamy good-as-new stonework erasing somber memories of its devastating fire in 2019.
Canada Post temporarily laying off striking workers, union says
The union representing Canada Post workers says the Crown corporation has been laying off striking employees as the labour action by more than 55,000 workers approaches the two-week mark.
Can't resist Black Friday weekend deals? How to shop while staying within your budget
A budgeting expert says there are a number of ways shoppers can avoid getting enveloped by the sales frenzy and resist spending beyond their means.
Montreal shopping mall playing 'Baby Shark' song to prevent unhoused from loitering
A shopping mall and office complex in downtown Montreal is being criticized for using the popular children's song 'Baby Shark' to discourage unhoused people from loitering in its emergency exit stairwells.