Oakville BVI Relief Fundraiser a huge success.
Oct 12, 2017
What a community of friends can do is awesome.
On Monday 9-11, after watching in shock, FB blogging the aftermath of Irma through the first weekend, and locating the entire staff of our Charter Management Company in Nanny Cay, I decided to get off my ass, stop looking at the horror and try and help these poor people. Some of whom I have known for decades and have now lost everything.
After a few phone calls and texts to some of the best Oakville friends a person could possibly have… voila… in 24 hours we had a committee, entertainment and a venue.
In 48 hours our committee had completely organized and SOLD OUT a benefit concert raising $20,000 in ticket sales, with even more to come in live and silent Auction items and T shirt sales.
Special thanks go out to my Sailing/Entertainment friends.
Ed Robertson of Barenaked Ladies has sailed with me three times and had his family booked a fourth time this coming Christmas. Danny Michel who also has sailed with me. Ron MacLean has been a lifelong friend and fellow boat partner. His wife Cari added good friend Jim Cuddy of Blue Rodeo to the venue.
Magically even during a busy tour season, all the Stars were able to line up for one fabulous evening September 27 just a couple of weeks after the idea was born.
Another $7,500 in ‘virtual’ tickets was sold before the event to people who just wanted to help. And by the end of the evening, with auction items and Ts, we had accumulated $55,000 in one of the tiniest of locations, The Moonshine Cafe in Oakville.
All in all people raved it was the best party of the year. Small, intimate and comedic with Ed and Jim busting our sides with jokes and warming our hearts with amazing tunes.
WHAT A NIGHT!
Thank You Thank You Thank You; Ed Robertson, Jim Cuddy, Danny Michel, Message In A Bottle, Sam Polley and our beloved Host, Ron MacLean.
Thank You Thank You Thank You; my flawless committee; Glen Yates, Dave Leon, Cari MacLean, Vanessa Dorington, CourtnayMacrae, Gord Phippen, Dave Ruskin and Brad Dalgarno!
Special thanks to Angus Brimacombe and John Marlatt as well as Sponsors TAG Vodka and Diamond Estate Wines.
One Love – One Life – Make every day count.
– Patrick Festing-Smith
