By Jenn Watt

Published Oct. 8 2019

Cars and trucks lined Mountain Street and packed the parking lot outside St. George’s Anglican Church on Oct. 5 for the annual barbecue beef dinner which each year raises funds for a community initiative.
This year the Hali Youth Hub was selected by the church and will receive $2411 thanks to the work of more than 30 volunteers and the support of attendees.
Upstairs diners awaited their turn while seated in the nave serenaded by song. As their number was called they filed through the basement loading their plates with slices of beef and piles of vegetables before heading to the dining area to enjoy with friends and family.
Outside a few volunteers monitored the barbecue which had roasted the beef to perfection over the course of many hours. David Barker and Ernie Wherry began cooking the 80-pounds of meat starting just after 10 a.m. basting regularly and making sure the temperature was just right.

Ken Harris a staff member with the youth hub said they were thankful to the church for choosing to support the hub. He said that help was “significant and important” and shows a commitment to taking care of local youth.
James a volunteer and user of the youth hub was busing tables at the church. He said what he enjoys about the hub is that it offers food friends and activities. Thomas Marion a steering committee member said when he was growing up in Haliburton there wasn’t much to do. He hopes the youth hub services will give young people somewhere to go and access to services to help them navigate life’s challenges. The hub provides a place to relax have fun and meet new people without the presence of drugs and alcohol he said.
Choosing the youth hub as the recipient this year was an easy decision Rev. Ken McClure said and a natural place to focus attention. The congregation sees supporting youth as a priority.