Hope for Haiti Benefit Concert

Concert raises awareness and support for Haiti

Organizers of the Hope for Haiti Benefit Concert had many positive things to say about the event that took place on Saturday March 20th. The all day concert featured more than 25 musical acts from BC, a silent auction, artisan crafts booths including fair trade crafts from Ten Thousand Villages. There were also opportunities to learn more about relief and rebuilding efforts in Haiti by many organizations particularly Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) and Heart to Heart.

Wayne Bremner, Executive director for MCC BC and John Neufeld, board chair for Heart to Heart both spoke with gratitude about the amazing community support received for the event.

“We have had a wonderful response in terms of sponsorship and volunteer turn out,” Bremner said, adding that volunteers included staff from the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre (AESC) as well as volunteers from each organization. 

Sponsors included Doug Rempel and Associates, the City of Abbotsford, Envision, Volunteer Abbotsford, Abbotsford News, Global Spectrum, Bourquin Printers, LTS Productions, BC Christian News, Ovation Food Services and Country 107.1 FM. Each sponsor either contributed financially to cover costs, provided services and items for free, or provided services at significantly reduced costs.

Doug Rempel, the concert promoter, said he was blessed by the event.

“The talent that came out to support this cause was amazing. The people that came out said it had been one of the most amazing, eclectic concerts that they had been to,” he said. “I was also amazed by the production; sound, lighting, video. It was a first class operation through and through. The artists were so happy to be able to help and gave their all.” 

Neufeld agreed.

“Our community worked hard to get behind it, the city got behind it and we are very grateful for those people who came. They got great performances and enjoyed themselves and supported a good cause at the same time,” he said, adding praise for the performers. “We are so grateful for the all the musicians and contribution.”

One of the groups, the Fab Fourever Beatles Tribute Band, praised the organizers efforts and the cause. Jean Luc Perron, who is the George Harrison in the band, said that doing the concert was a “no brainer” for him. Hailing from Quebec, he has many friends who are from Haiti and still have family there, so doing the concert was an opportunity to support a good cause and his friends as well.

The turn out was lower than hoped for but those who attended enjoyed the eclectic mix of performers and the quality of the performances. 

“I so enjoyed it,” said Donna Easton, responding on MCC BC’s Facebook page. “I wanted to stay longer.” 

The event raised funds and awareness about the ongoing relief efforts already happening in Haiti and the enormous task of rebuilding that is still ahead.

“We have just begun a long term, multi-million dollar rebuilding effort,” Bremner said. “We realize that with all the things that have happened in the last month, particularly with the Olympics happening, that Haiti has dropped off the radar a bit. But there is still a significant amount of work that will need to happen in Haiti in the years to come and we are asking people to stay with us for the long term rebuilding efforts in Haiti.”