Bronwyn Carr visited her friend at Rotary Hospice House a few days ago. He's not doing very well and she just wants things to be a bit easier for him.
So she's hosting the Dave Da Coin Benefit Show Sunday night at 7 p.m. at Art Space.
Da Coin has a rare form of cancer -- Carr can't even pronounce the name of it -- but Da Coin's kidney and part of his spine were removed because of it and she wants him to have a new wheelchair that is more comfortable for him.
"I felt like Dave has given so much to the community and so much to all of his friends," said Carr. "He is just a very, very positive, inspirational person. Even going to Hospice to see him, you know you feel sad going in there and you come out feeling amazing. For someone who is at this point in their life and is so positive and upbeat is incredible. All he's trying to do is make everybody laugh and I just felt like he deserved more and that's why I wanted to hold the benefit -- because something as simple as money should not get in the way of his comfort when he's going through this part of his life."
When they first met about eight years ago, Da Coin was healthy and involved in the community, mainly with youth and in the music scene, Carr said.
"He worked for the Prince George Native Friendship Centre at Reconnect," she said.
Reconnect workers work with youth at risk to encourage them to return to a safer lifestyle. Reconnect operates a 10-bed emergency shelter for youth aged 15 to 18 and also conducts a daily youth drop-in centre and street outreach.
"He was really good at giving youth a voice and being there for them to help break the cycle," said Carr. "It was a really tough job and he touched so many people's lives and he's so amazing -- how positive he is. He's aboriginal and he's from the Moberly Lake region and he's really in touch spiritually. He's been so strong for so long and just recently he's taken a turn for the worse."
Carr has a line up of local entertainers who are volunteering their talent to entertain at the benefit.
"Jim Brinkman has donated Art Space to us, and Dawn Boudreau, Foam Mesh Press and many other artists will perform," said Carr. "We're looking for donations and if people want to donate items we can use for a silent auction, that would be wonderful. We already have donations from Ave Maria and Angelique's Native Art."
The Dave Da Coin Benefit Show goes Sunday night at 7 p.m. at Art Space, above Books & Co., 1685 Third Ave.
For more information e-mail [email protected] or call 250-981-8495.
