The Frost the Night Away event, formerly Rosetown Ladies Night Out, that took place late last year raised-and recently donated an impressive amount of money.

The much anticipated evening was opened up to include men for the first time ever in its seven years of being held in Rosetown and included live and silent auctions as well as entertainment.

All proceeds raised from the event were in support of local youth and community groups with the Gasper Family Foundation as the premier recipient. Also to receive funds were the Rosetown Lions Club, local swim and skating teams, two 4-H clubs and the Empowered Youth Era group.

Of the $10,200 distributed amongst the groups, Michelle Leith of the Empowered Youth Era group accepted cheques for a total of $2,700.

The empowered Youth Era group, founded in the fall of 2016, believes that student volunteers build leadership and citizenship skills through giving back to the community. They offer a number of supports for local youth, including a healthy snack program at RCHS, and a scholarship-which is based on volunteerism and financial need.

Leith shared that the group has also helped youth in need pay for student fees and provided running shoes so kids can participate in physical education classes. The costs of graduation can be daunting, Empowered Youth Era has provided students with suits and dresses when they could not, as well as they have helped equip kids with much needed winter clothing.

All assistance through Empowered Youth Era is confidential.

Ashley Mollenbeck, of the Frost the Night Away event, reported that $80,000 has been given to community groups like the Empowered Youth Era thus far.

“Over the last seven years we have raised over $80,000 to give back to youth in the community,”

“We are so grateful for our generous sponsors and all who attend and support the event, we will be doing the event again next year and look forward to helping more youth programs,” commented Mollenbeck