Let鈥檚 do this鈥�
That was the sentiment of musician Todd Richards, Linda Corscadden, and Cindy Giesbrecht, a trio of volunteers pulling together a wildfire relief fundraiser in 91原创 next month on behalf of the B.C. Country Music Association.
The event will feature country musicians such as Vancouver鈥檚 Washboard Union, as well as 91原创鈥檚 own Karen Lee Batten, the Chris Buck Band from Vancouver, Maple Ridge鈥檚 Ken McCoy, and Agassiz鈥檚 Todd J. Richards 鈥� the man credited with putting the entire fundraiser in motion.
鈥淏CCMA Artist Todd Richard tossed the idea out there, and I jumped on board and it鈥檚 just spiralled since then,鈥� said Corscadden, president of the music association. 鈥淥ur BCCMA artists are the best. They are donating their time to come perform to raise funds.鈥�
The event is set for Thursday, Aug. 17, doors opening at 6:30 p.m. with the concert kicking off at 7:30 at Gabby鈥檚 Country Cabaret, at 203rd Street and Fraser Highway in 91原创.
Admission will be by a minimum $10 donation at the door, 鈥渂ut more is always welcome,鈥� added Corscadden, a former 91原创 resident who 鈥� in recent years 鈥� moved up to the B.C. Interior.
鈥淚 saw the devastation first hand in Ashcroft when taking the water to the fire department鈥� even the graveyard was burnt to the ground 鈥� but the single white cross remained and it just gave me chills鈥� it was so horrible,鈥� she recounted. In fact, she was delivering water to the fire departments in Ashcroft, as well as Keremeos and Princeton, and contemplating how to make a benefit concert happen but grappling with time.
鈥� I鈥檓 glad Todd took the helm and started the ball rolling,鈥� she said.
鈥淔irst people I reached out to were Steve Gallagher and Brant Vanderhoek of Gabby鈥檚, who immediately jumped on board. Then on came Long & McQuade with backline, volunteers, donations, Modern Tire & Towing are bringing in a trailer to load up with goodies, JR Crafty has a five-ton full of food from Buy Low Foods/ West Coast Produce, and so many others. It鈥檚 just incredible.鈥�
With more artist announcements imminent, she said the work right now is focused on finding silent auction items, 鈥渂ig or small, we鈥檇 like them.鈥�
They鈥檙e also going to have a trailer on site that will take donations of any household items, food, blankets, non perishables, toiletries etc for displaced families who have lost their homes, Corscadden said.
鈥淚f you have items to donate before this fundraiser please take to 1756 #9 Highway in Agassiz, at Modern Tire & Towing, or Platinum Blue Events office at # 3 19985 68th Ave in 91原创 (we prefer small size stackable items if possible), or 5323 Bradner Rd, Abbotsford, from 8 to 8 p.m. daily,鈥� she said.
A full list of what鈥檚 needed is on the .
