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Tillsonburg POST
APRIL 9, 2026
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VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 27
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Avondale runs warming centre pilot for unhoused
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JEFF HELSDON Editor
Another option is being tried to deal with the unhoused in Tillsonburg. The Avondale Warming Centre is a trial program running from March 2 to April 30, which is endorsed, supported, and funded by the Avondale United Church congregation. Avondale has partnered with Operation Sharing – Woodstock to offer overnight shelter during the winter months since November 2023. The new program is different in it operates during the day. The Avondale Warming Centre offers respite, safety, community fellowship, warmth, and food. Hot meals are offered during the program, which runs Monday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is operated by volunteers from Avondale United Church. The Salvation Army ran its day program in the downtown, but it moved to the church on Concession Street West. Avondale Warming Centre facilitator Oliver Gauld believes part of the reason for the move was complaints from neighbours. While the Salvation Army program is working on Concession Street, he sees a need for a program downtown where people congregate. “We don’t have any neighbours,” he said. Church volunteers decided to try the day program on a trial basis. “Part of the reason for the trial was the number of people involved and the cost,” said program coordinator Chris Buchner. “We’re a small congregation, so we don’t have a lot of volunteers.” “Part of the trial is to see if there is a need,” Gauld added. “The trial is to gather data for the community, and better define the need, if there is one.” CONTINUED TO PAGE 5
A BIG EASTER EGG HUNT
(STUART BLOWER PHOTO)
The rain held off for Saturday’s annual Kinsmen Easter Egg Hunt in Memorial Park to allow the event to run smoothly. Hundreds of chocolate Easter eggs were scattered prior to the event’s start. The race was on for the seven to nine years-olds in this photo. Age groups included 3 and under, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12, in order to give everyone an opportunity to collect their own Easter eggs and win prizes. See more photos on page 20.
Tillsonburg Chamber of Commerce celebrates 50th anniversary JEFF HELSDON Editor
As the Tillsonburg District Chamber of Commerce members celebrate the 50th anniversary this year, they are paying heed to a widely-respected organization that has grown from humble beginnings. To think that Tillsonburg business owners didn’t have any organization for the first 100 years since the town’s incorporation in 1872 would be wrong. However, early business organizations didn’t have the recognition that the chamber does today. Recorded history of the
early groups is scant, but it points to the chamber gradually fading away in the late 1960s or early 1970s. Local solicitor Ian Linton is credited with the launch of the chamber as it’s known today in 1976. President of the former organization, Linton wrote a letter that the chamber was being reorganized. Recognizing Tillsonburg was a regional centre for surrounding communities in not only south Oxford, but also west Norfolk and east Elgin, he saw the need for a group not restrained by political boundaries, thus the new organization was the Tillsonburg District Chamber of Commerce. CONTINUED TO PAGE 2
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