Barrie’s May Court Club prepares for its annual Homes for the Holidays fundraiser

Since the May Court Club of Barrie was founded in 1970, times have changed. The community was smaller then, and the group’s consignment clothing store was called “The Gingham Door.” They’ve since changed the name to May Court Shop, because, as longtime volunteer Marianne Schall says, “no one knows what gingham means anymore.”

But one thing that hasn’t changed is the hard work the club’s volunteers have put in throughout the year, including during the Homes for the Holidays event.

Homes for the Holidays takes place on November 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The $40 price tag grants ticket holders access to tours of four holiday-decorated homes, as well as the Makers Market/Tea Room, where attendees can purchase gifts while enjoying coffee, tea, and scones.

The four homes featured this year are a historic century-old home in Allandale, a Line 4 cottage in Horseshoe, an estate home in Braestone and a “hidden treasure” in Barrie South. Homes will be festively decorated by Ticking Stripe Design and feature floral arrangements by Rural Roots Flower Co.; Allison Botanix with Halliday House and Halliday House Blooms; Flourish Social Enterprises Floral Studio with Ego’s Garden Center & Farm Market; and the Bradford Glasshouse Garden Gallery.

As for the Makers Market, this is no ordinary craft show. Marianne says the club reviews products carefully, taking inspiration from current trends. Items for sale are made by members of the May Court Club of Barrie and Friends of May Court and include canned goods, baked goods, home decor, clothing, spa products and much more. The market is so popular that regular ticket holders line up early to get the best selection before it disappears.

“My favorite thing is shopping at Maker’s Market. It’s so high-end that you can easily buy it for your sister, your mom or your best friend, for the holidays or for hostess gifts. That’s how good it is,” says Marianne.

May Court Club of Barrie is a volunteer-run registered charity that raises money through fundraisers like Homes for the Holidays, as well as through the May Court Shop. Money raised at the annual event goes into club funds and is donated throughout the year to local charities, students and school nutrition programs. An average year for the group means donating $100,000 to the Barrie community.

The May Court Club of Barrie’s scholarship program awards $20,000 to 10 students entering university, college or trade school. Students can apply through an online form and, if selected, can use the $2,000 for school expenses like books or tuition.

The group’s application review committee receives applications from Barrie-area charities that need funds for specific projects. The committee then contributes a total of $40,000 to the chosen charities, doing its best to maximize the funds as much as possible.

Finally, the club’s nutrition program provides $30,000 in snacks to public and Catholic schools, so students don’t have to learn while hungry.

Since 1970, the May Court Club of Barrie has raised and donated over $3 million to the Barrie community. Marianne has been a member for 18 years and says she still has active founding members. They also have multi-generational members, like mothers and daughters who volunteer together. The group is always looking for new volunteers to join the cause.

Although preparing for Homes for the Holidays is a lot of work for the volunteers, Marianne says they all enjoy seeing people having fun at the event.

“People come from Toronto, Collingwood, Orillia. It is primarily based in the Barrie and Horseshoe areas, but it is a unifying event. People come in groups and make it a tradition,” she says.

“We love having new people come and enjoy the event and discover the area. When we organize it, we also discover more.

For more information and tickets, visit here.

Tickets can also be purchased in person at May Court Shop – Ladies Consignment Clothing at 54B Maple Ave, Barrie.