Local shelter receives donated Taylor Swift tickets

Local shelter receives donated 'Eras Tour' tickets Staff at the Busby Centre received a surprise donation on Wednesday in the form of Taylor Swift tickets.

Staff at the Busby Centre, a nonprofit organization that supports individuals struggling and living on the streets of Barrie, received a surprise donation on Wednesday in the form of Taylor Swift tickets.

“I love this so much, and this is the ‘Swift Effect,’” said Louise Jackson, the Busby Centre's communications and events director.

The ‘Swift Effect’ has seen local organizations and food banks benefit from the star's iconic tour.

Swift often donates to food banks in the cities she visits, with her generosity also influencing others to give back.

When the Busby Centre got the call from Simcoe County resident Brian Brennon wanting to donate his tickets that he won online, the team was in shock.

“It's like the Hail Mary throw that we got these tickets,” said Jackson. “That's when you see the value of, ‘this isn't going into somebody's pocket, this is going to help so many people.’”

The organization is setting up an online auction for the tickets to raise money for its programs that support those struggling on the streets.

“I just thought, ‘you know what, it would be good to give back,’” said Brennan about donating his Eras Tour tickets. “The community's been good to me. I mean, I think sometimes we all focus on what we want and not what we already have.”

“What a generous man. This is something that he could have taken for him and raised money because these tickets are valuable,” added Jackson. “But right away, he called us.”

A message of giving that will see ‘Swifties’ and non-‘Swifties’ come together to make a difference.

The auction is running online on the Busby Centre’s website until 10 p.m. on Friday.

The organization accepts donations year-round.