A generation of people who were raised in a church heard the old hymns that imprinted into their very being. Those hymns are rarely heard in churches today, but it seems older folks crave them.
Following prompting from those and others, Sylvia Campbell, Frances Shaw and friends have put together an accumulation of old songs and will present them to the public Sept. 26 at 6 p.m. at the Errington Hall.
Not only is this a sing-along of gospel songs but the group has joined forces with the Arrowsmith Community Experience (ACE) program. All the funds from the concert will be going to this great program that helps vulnerable children in the Errington district.
ACE program organizers are thrilled that this fundraiser is taking place. Twenty-five students needing extra support, from Kindergarten to Grade 7, were selected last year by principal Bobbi Coleman to participate in this program, the first of its kind in School District 69.
Stewarded through the Ministry of Development and Social Innovation, Nanaimo, a small committee made up of members from School District 69, Island Health, RCMP, Child and Youth Services, Building Learning Together and Arrowsmith Community Recreation Assn (ACRA) designed the program. It offers children a physical fitness and wellness component, food preparation and nutrition, arts and crafts, music and community building.
On all levels, this program has been considered a tremendous success at Errington Elementary School, and plans are underway now to run a year-long program beginning this month.
The mission statement for the ACE Club program at EES is to provide children and youth at Errington Elementary opportunities and experiences to help them flourish at school, at home, in their local community and beyond.
Funding and donations to the program will help cover the costs of food, materials, transportation, special guests and perhaps field trips for the students this school year.
Tickets sales for the concert can be picked up at Cranky Dog in Parksville, the Coombs General Store and at the door.
Children are welcome. Refreshments and snacks will be available as well as a silent auction. New items or services are still being sought for the auction and can be dropped off at the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre in Errington or call 250-951-8759.
— NEWS Staff/Submitted by Sylvia Campbell