A caring community turned out in force last Saturday afternoon (Feb. 14) to show their Valentine love and raise funds cabaret-style to keep the Coast’s cold weather shelter going through the winter months.
All the contributions were voluntary: from the musicians to the organizers, from the door prizes donated by local businesses to the use of the Sechelt Seniors Activity Centre hall at no cost for this cause.
“Homelessness is growing across the country,” said shelter coordinator Brenda Wilkinson. She explained that the shelter is open from Nov. 1 to March 31 and provides a dinner program with the support of five churches and two service clubs.
Pianist and host Berni G had lots of her “Frenz” on stage with her to entertain. There were fiddle tunes from Michelle Bruce and Gord Beynon. Boyd Norman got out from behind his bass this time to sing “a hurtin’ song” in a fine voice, while Gary McGuire and Ian McLatchie performed on a few original numbers.
Mark Lebbell and Kaia Nielsen knew how to capture the audience’s attention with a song, Wilder Than You, then kept the country theme going with She Left Me for Jesus. Nielsen’s high, pure voice was a treat. Later they teamed up with musicians Joe Stanton and Simon Paradis and the result was a highlight of the show.
Jenica Vaneli reminded everyone of the plight of the homeless when she donned a classic mime artist’s white face and showed without words what a person can face on the streets in their search for food or money … or even love.
The finale was rousing.
“We rehearsed it in my living room,” said Berni G, “and it took me back many years to Don Messer’s Jubilee show on TV.”
Although none of the musicians was paid, Berni G was delighted that when she picked up the phone to ask for their volunteering help for the shelter, they agreed right away.
The event raised about $2,000, not as much as the previous year and not quite enough to keep going until the end of March. You can donate to the shelter by sending a cheque to Sunshine Coast Community Services at P.O. Box 1069, 5638 Inlet Avenue, Sechelt, B.C. or online at www.sccss.ca
