Help Haiti! raises over $16,000
Island to Island
Rose Marie Harrop
Submitted Article
Monday, February 1 2010
Sunday, January 24th, the fundraiser, “Help Haiti,” was a resounding success raising over $16,000 for humanitarian relief in Haiti. Bob Bossin and Gail Lund produced the event. Following a whirlwind, ten-days only, get-it-together by countless good folk, a standing-room only audience at the Community Hall enjoyed an exceptional roster of talented performers, a compelling slide show, delicious treats, and a silent auction to outbid all.
I heard Melinda Wilde, organizer of the auction, say that many people upped their own successful bid just to give more. There were lots of ways to donate money out there; this event was a way for this community to come together to express its compassion, connection, and great generosity. Bob Bossin commented, “I’ve been on this island for 19 years now, and throughout that time I’ve found this to be an extraordinarily generous community. An evening like Sunday night not only demonstrates that, it celebrates it.”
Yes, a hugely successful event. Willing hands with everyone responding to requests for help with, “Yes, I can help.” Not only an audience, but also an audience of participants, so many present having contributed to making the event happen. Not a penny laid out for expenses; everything was donated including the Community Hall which cannot be let out for free and so the board of the Hall donated the money to pay for the rental.
Gary Fjellgaard closed with his song “Islanders”. Everyone was on their feet, singing, swaying, clapping, being together in heartfelt connection.
The funds raised will be distributed to the Humanitarian Coalition, Doctors Without Borders, and the Canadian Foundation for the Children of Haiti.
What remains? Many acknowledged the need for far more than aid funds. See for one www.canadahelps.org. Any ideas?
What else remains? To thank those who helped so generously and to acknowledge our list may not capture everyone, the response was so amazing. So here we go knowing that though some may be unnamed still all are truly thanked.
Committee: Bob Bossin, Ken Capon, Gail Lund, Diana Moher, Jim Ramsay, Elizabeth Shefrin, Cathy Tanner, Melinda Wilde
Performers: Victor Anthony & Lloyd Arntzen, Bob & Gee Bossin & Saburo Murata, Brian Fisher, Gary Fjellgaard, Paul Grignon, Tim Harrison, Heartsong Choir, Anthony Holland, The Island Singers, Corbin Keep, Kelly Price & Brad Shipley, Penny Sidor, Take Five, SSVelte
And: Artworks, Agricultural Hall Coop, Aileen Adams, Joelle and Victor Anthony, Arbutus Building Supplies, Sonia Baker, Simone Bell, Carl Billington, Gary Birch, Tammy Birch, Board Members of Gabriola Island Community Hall, Body Spirit Centre, Jackie Braid, Mara Brenner, Mary Gay Brooks, Heidi Brown, Nancy & Hugh Brown, Ann Buttrick, Charlie Cheffins, Jim Chiminy, Liz Ciocea, Ranza Clark, Colleen’s, Jenny Cooper, Nancy Crozier, Mike Curran, Darryl’s Woodshop, Kevin Duff, Steve Elder, Eternal Flow, Eyes Wide Open Photography, Rick Fields, Allison Fitz, Rebecca Furnell, Lou Gagne, Gabriola Coffee Company, Gabriola Gourmet Garlic, Gabriola Lion’s Club, Gabriola Sounder, Gallery Press, GESS, Doane and Renata Gregory, G.R.O.W.L.S., Elly Hallam, Nick Halpin, Kirk Hammond, Nigel Hart, Doug Harrison, Rose Marie Harrop, Harvest Thyme, Haven Resort and Institute, Dave Hemsrud, Bea Holmes, Jacoline and Lance Homych, Tammy Hudgeon, E.J. Hurst, Indian Summer Leather Designs, Island Apothecary, Jim’s Kayaking, Julreco Kakes Kids, Cindy Keep, Keep Musical Production, Robin Kelley, Betty Kilback, Lulu Performing Arts, Mary Beth Levan, Mitch & Mia Levine, Doug Long, Gus Lund, Toby Macklin, Paula Maddison, Lawrence Mayles, Siki McIvor, Jean McLaren, Kristin Miller, Nancy Nevison, New Society Publishers, Octave Music, Ruth O’Neill, Kathy Perry, Poetry Society, Lorna Potts, Janice Power, John Proudfoot, Brenda Purcell, Raspberry’s Jazz Cafe, Raven Food & Pet Supplies, Cheryl Reed, The Roxy, Salt Sea Creations, Sandstone Physical Therapy, Bill Schram, Deb Scott, Somerset Farm, Suzy’s Restaurant, Take Two Films, Al Tanner, Miranda Tanner, Eric Veale, Village Food Market, Val Walsh, Washed Up, Ashley Wilde, Catherine Williams, Ingrid Witvoet, Susan Yates, Susan Yeend.
|
