Donations were still being tallied, but Thursday鈥檚 wildfire benefit concert in 91原创 is being hailed a resounding success by organizers.

鈥淚t was a fantastic night,鈥� said co-organizer Linda Corscadden, president of the BC Country Music Association. 鈥淕abby鈥檚 [Country Cabaret] was full.鈥�

During the worst of the fires last month, country singer Todd Richard of Harrison conceived of the idea to host a benefit concert that could help those evacuated and devastated by the B.C. wildfires. Corscadden and the BCCMA jumped on board, and multiple artists came together to put on a 鈥渉ell of a show鈥� late this week.

鈥淲e don鈥檛 have the grand total as of yet, we鈥檙e still waiting for one big sponsor,鈥� but Corscadden said with 鈥渢ons鈥� of silent auction items and a packed house, she鈥檚 optimistic the team will have raised a lot and more importantly be able to help many hit hard by the wildfires.

The benefit concert featured Richard, as well as 91原创鈥檚 Karen Lee Batten, Vancouver鈥檚 Washboard Union, the Chris Buck Band from Vancouver, and Maple Ridge鈥檚 Ken McCoy, Rollin鈥� Trainwreck, and The Heels.

鈥淎ll the artists were fantastic and rocked the house. It was a packed venue and we just want to thank everybody who helped, all our sponsors, silent auction donations, Gabby鈥檚 volunteers, anybody who helped in any way, we want to thank them,鈥� Corscadden said.

There was also a special guest who showed up that night to perform, raising the enthusiasm of the crowd.

鈥淛oJo Mason even [a rising country music star] popped by and hopped up on stage as well, which was cool,鈥� explained Batten, Corscadden adding that he sang a number with the Washboard Union.

鈥淎ll the artists were amazing,鈥� Corscadden said, including hometown鈥檚 Karen Lee Batten 鈥� who has since been asked to help organize and participate in another wildfire fundraiser for Williams Lake at the end of September.

While it is only an estimate thus far, Corscadden said Saturday that it鈥檚 believed about $13,500 in cash was raised from the concert.

鈥淲e鈥檙e so excited for that outcome. You know, I think that in this type of situation [where] anything helps, as I鈥檝e found in the Paddington fundraiser,鈥� interjected Batten, an award-winning 91原创 musician who helped organize a relief effort last December for the victims of the 91原创 City apartment fire.

鈥淭here were so many people who came out Thursday night, and more silent auction items than we could ever even imagine. It was packed in there. And all of them went out the door鈥� We were really pleased with the outcome,鈥� Batten said.

She鈥檚 so anxious to help all those traumatized by the fires: 鈥淓very little bit helps.

鈥淛ust even knowing that so many people are coming together鈥� knowing that so many people are thinking about them and caring is a huge part of this鈥�,鈥� Batten added. 鈥淛ust knowing that鈥� we want to help them out as much as we can鈥� I think that means a lot.鈥�

In addition to collecting financial donations for the cause, there was a trailer on site during the concert that was loaded up with donations of any usable household items, non-perishable food, blankets, toiletries and other such items that can help those displaced or rebuilding. These donations were being dropped off throughout the day, Corscadden said.

鈥淲e got a lot of non-perishable food items from Buy-Low Foods and with that food and all the clothing items and toiletries and stuff鈥� that she is hoping will further help out a lot of families.

With so many in need, the proceeds will be divided up between a few different fire relief efforts, Corscadden said.

鈥淭he Boston Flats Trailer Park Fire Aid is in Ashcroft 鈥� it鈥檚 the whole trailer park that got wiped out so money and supplies will be going there.鈥�

Some funds, she added, will be going to the 100 Mile Haulers group that has continuously been hauling livestock for more than a month.

鈥淎nd depending on what Boston Flats area can take for donated items, we will be extending the deliveries to 16 Mile, Clinton, and Loon Lake. It really depends on how much money and supplies are on hand,鈥� Corscadden said. 鈥淥ur main focus is Ashcroft with Boston Flats though.鈥�

She and Richard are expecting to personally deliver the 鈥済oodies鈥� and money to the various locations next weekend.