Tears, Belonging & Rock ‘n’ Roll: 2025 Festive Brunch raises $70K for housing

Ashley and Randy Vowels have a purpose – and it brought tears and smiles to the faces of more than 400 people over brunch.

Community Living Huntsville welcomed Ashley to the stage during our 2025 Festive Brunch presented by Tall Trees Muskoka and Deerhurst Resort in December. She and Randy, her husband, are co-owners and chefs for Tall Trees Muskoka. They are also the proud parents of Axel, 6, their son, who is autistic.

“It feels like every parent is given a puzzle – but as a parent of a child with a developmental disability, I didn’t get the box,” said Ashley. “Having an autistic child means therapies, routines, sensory overloads, and meltdowns. But the more I researched and paid attention, the more I realized … our kids aren’t broken. The world just isn’t ready for their light and brilliance.”

She said that Axel needs most is love and support.

“My son will never wonder how much he is loved,” she said.

But she does have a fear.

“I fear him growing up in a world that isn’t inclusive,” said Ashley. “I fear that someday, when I’m gone, no one will care for him the way we do. I’m terrified someone will mistreat him and he won’t be able to tell me. I fear that when he’s an adult, the services he needs won’t be available.”

She noted that the generosity of everyone who supported, contributed to, or attended the brunch helps ensure her fears don’t become a reality – not only for her son but also for other children and adults with developmental disabilities.

The audience rose to its feet for a standing ovation.

Partners Support Affordable Housing

Both Tall Trees Muskoka and Deerhurst Resort, as 2025-2026 Platinum Signature Event Partners for our not-for-profit organization, donated their expertise, time, venues, kitchen staff, waitstaff and food for this year’s brunch, so every dollar raised would go toward our affordable housing initiatives for people with developmental disabilities and families who access our services.

(Photo by Community Living Huntsville)

“Deerhurst Resort, as an inclusive employer and community partner, is proud to support the 2025 Festive Brunch – and inclusion and opportunity for all,” stated the resort. “By coming together for this brunch, you are helping raise funds and awareness for a Muskoka where everyone has a place to belong.”

Thanks to the partners’ contributions, the brunch raised more than $70,000 toward our annual $250,000 fundraising goal for those initiatives.

“This event isn’t just about fabulous food, prizes, and entertainment. It is about our shared belief in a community where everyone has a real opportunity to belong,” said Jerrett. “But our community is in a crisis – a crisis of access to affordable, disability-inclusive housing.”

She noted that the wait for affordable housing through the District of Muskoka’s community housing program is roughly 4 to 10 years – but provincial data shows that people with developmental disabilities face wait times that are 10-times longer than average.

“You can’t build a life if you have nowhere to live,” said Jerrett.

A New Way to Support Belonging

Community Living Huntsville has launched several affordable housing initiatives in response, including our Transitional Housing initiative for unhoused young adults and emergency rent subsidies for people and families on the edge of homelessness.

“Every dollar raised at this brunch – thanks to our partners, sponsors, and you – will go directly toward our housing initiatives to help those we support find and keep roofs over their heads,” she said. “But we know housing – and community belonging – go beyond a roof.”

More was needed – especially stable, predictable annual financial support.

Jerrett then unveiled our new monthly giving program: Link Giving.

“For $42 a month, you can create a connection between people and the life-changing opportunities they need,” she said. “When you give, you become the link connecting people to possibility.”

Gratitude and Creating Belonging Together

Jerrett thanked Ashely, Randy and the Tall Trees team, Rory Golden, chef Gus Gulmar, Stephanie McLennan and the Deerhurst team, our 17 table sponsors, more than 50 silent auction donors, 4 live auction donors – Hillside Farm, John and Joan Jerrett, Tall Trees Muskoka and Algonquin Outfitters – The Hunt House, Beechwood Floral Design, guest performers Ascension Aerials Arts, ASD Band and Mrs. Claus, volunteers Cindi Sandiland, Laura Flynn, Brent Finn, Sarah Downes and Chris Jordan-Stevens, and everyone who supported and attended our 2025 brunch.

She offered special thanks to our 2025-2026 Signature Event Partners, who sponsor every signature fundraising event through the year, including Platinum Partners Tall Trees Muskoka and Deerhurst Resort, Gold Sponsors Lovegrove Construct and Design, Optimize Wealth Management Dan Willett Financial, Stephenson District Lions Club, Refined Kitchen and Bath, Property Prep Canada, and Tulloch, Silver Partners Hillside Farm, Move it and Maintain It Property Maintenance, and the Rotary Club of North Muskoka.

“I’d like to leave you with the following thought,” said Jerrett. “A community of belonging is not found – it is made when we choose, together, to see, support, and connect with one another so each of us can thrive.”

Related Stories:

• ‘It Doesn’t Matter Who You Are’: ASD Band rocks 2025 Festive Brunch stage
• Bling Brings Big Bucks for Community Living’s Affordable Housing Efforts

Community Living Huntsville is a not-for-profit, registered charity that supports and advocates alongside more than 300 children and adults, and their families, to promote and advance meaningful choice and real inclusion for people with developmental disabilities, so people, families, and our community can thrive. Learn more at clhuntsville.ca and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

(Photos by Community Living Huntsville and Limelight Muskoka)