The annual Nelly’s Project fundraiser for the Soul Sisters Memorial Foundation was another huge success grossing roughly $157,000.
Hosted at the Westlock and District Community Hall Sept. 22 and featuring a performance by country-music star Gord Bamford, Nelly’s Project 5 brought the organization’s five-year fundraising total to $1,064,000, said founder and Soul Sisters president Christine Vachon.
Soul Sisters formed in February 2014 a few short months after Christine and Terry Vachon’s daughter Janelle passed away. Christine and her sisters felt the need to organize a way to bring awareness to suicide and mental health issues within the community.
“I don’t really want to focus on the money, but it does allow us to do what we do. We really appreciate the support of the community,” said Christine.
“This has been an uphill battle for our family. However, planning this event each year has assisted us on our path of healing.”
When she spoke at the evening she was introduced by MC Danny Hooper who noted: “This is a woman that took a personal tragedy and has turned it into an absolute miracle.”
“Time to talk is our theme. Time to start the conversation about tough subjects. So let me begin by saying, tonight is tough on my heart,” Christine began.
She spoke of the busy past year of workshops and grief counselling sessions, and a men’s mental health evening with former NHL goaltender Clint Malarchuk as guest speaker.
Christine noted too, that she is now the Alberta representative for fundraising for the Robb Nash Project, which focuses on the same issues as Soul Sisters.
“I am so proud of my community involvement that has evolved over the past four years. This movement you created fills my heart with peace and love for those we’ve been able to support through difficult times.”
Christine pointed out that because of the money they raise they’ve hosted over 45 free workshops in four years, with an average attendance of 50 people. She said it’s also important to recognize the Robb Nash Project is capable of reaching over 2,500 people in one day.
“I am blessed with the support of my husband Terry and son Justin and the rest of my family as this Foundation continues to grow.”
Angie Hampshire, who has worked in the past with Westlock Victim Services and has been involved with Soul Sisters since they began, also spoke about the organization, and what it does with the money.
She mentioned the monthly mental health sessions, crisis response, commitment to support projects in the community, grief support, and the unwavering commitment and support to the Robb Nash Project.
She noted the evening can bring up a lot of feelings, and said it’s OK to cry, and spoke about loss and offered some advice, such as warm memories that brings a smile to your face and a loving memory that brings peace to your heart.
Robb Nash, who reaches out to young people via the Robb Nash Project with free concerts across the country, has been a regular at the event for the past three years.
“I am pretty much convinced that I know more people here than I do in my whole family gathering. We’re honored by the support from Westlock to allow us to do what we do. I want you to know this, if Soul Sisters keeps going and you don’t give another dollar to us, we’d be honoured to come and just sit in your midst.
“We just absolutely love you guys … that you’ve allowed us to be able to do across this country has been really remarkable.”
Christine said the Robb Nash Project ended up with $40,000 for their work through the cash appeal and donations, including from Soul Sisters.
Nelly’s eldest son Blair also spoke and focused on how his mom lived and loved in her 31 years, and spoke of the many talents she had, and how she has influenced him.
“She loved me and my brother unconditionally,” Blair said.
He spoke of how he has already helped as a volunteer with the Robb Nash project, and gesturing towards him, “I never had a big brother, but Robb feels like one to me. Robb is someone I can look up to both literally and figuratively.”
He added every year, he looks forward to be able to help out.
“When I hear his message, it has helped me get through some difficult times.”
Throughout the evening, there were a number of live and silent auction items up for bid, and this year, a twist on the mystery trip.
There were 15 suitcases on stage, 14 with a $100 gift certificate inside, and one with a mystery trip certificate. The suitcases brought $1,000 each, and the winner of a trip for two to a remote Caribbean getaway was Dan Horinek.
As in the past, there were also several fancy desserts sold that brought in a fair dollar, and some wild card live auction items that added more to the evenings receipts.
It wasn’t an all serious and fundraising event. The evening ended off with music and entertainment via Bamford and his band, and many got up on the floor, dancing and enjoying his singing and the music.
Up next
The next Soul Sisters event will be a Men’s Night, not a fund raiser, but a men’s mental health and well being awareness evening, held at the community hall Feb. 27.
The guest speaker will be former Edmonton Eskimos football player Gizmo Williams and similar to the event held earlier this year, Christine said they will have a guest panel, including local ex-football players like Rick Medcke and Simeon Rottier, who will share their experiences on and off the field.
Tickets for the evening will be $40, and guys and gals coming to the event will be encouraged to wear a football jersey.
There will be more information closer to the actual date of the event, but tickets will be on sale before the end of the year for those who would like to buy them as a Christmas gift.
