Members of the Facebook group Citizens Bridge Maple Ridge will be hosting a fundraiser for the Youth Wellness Centre called Jammin’ For Youth.
Citizens Bridge was created by Linda Findlay to allow members to respectfully discuss issues of homelessness, addiction and mental health.
But once members started chatting with one another, they formed personal relationships and decided they wanted to do something more for he community.
“We decided we wanted to something, but we didn’t know what. We didn’t want to wait for government or elections or anything, we just wanted to do something positive,” said Findlay.
In February, the group started to meet in person on a regular basis to see what members might do in terms of a fundraiser or an event.
That’s how they came up with Jammin’ For Youth, the first event of five that will take place each month through until August.
Canadian singer-songwriter Patsy Thompson will be kicking off the event with an hour-long performance starting at 6 p.m. with Tony del Giglio and Chris Rolin.
Other performers will include Peter Tam, Kat and Tony and Sly-Detrick, made up of lead singer and bassist Brando Kotarski, lead guitarist Joseph Soderholm and drummer Brett Hemminger, who just released their debut album called Bleach Boys in February.
Tickets will include dinner.
There will also be a raffle, silent auction and 50/50 draw.
All money raised will be going to the Youth Wellness Centre, a free drop-in program for children and youth facing substance use or mental health issues that takes place every Thursday at the Greg Moore Youth Centre.
It is run by Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Community Services.
Services include connecting youth and their families to community resources and providing professional services such as access to a youth advocate, psychiatrist or counselling.
– By Colleen Flanagan
cflanagan@mapleridgenews.com