Everyone listens to the radio and every now and then there will be a call out from community groups in need. Most of us sympathize and flip the channel but one local teen took matters into her own hands.
When Margaret Keery, an 18-year-old dancer, heard about an organization in need, she started a coin drive and raised $500 for the cause last year. She had heard Patrick Pocha, vice president of the Prince George Mtis Community Association and a founding member of the Afterhours Drop In Centre, talk about how the organization's funding was cut and they now had to rely on ongoing community support to help the homeless and street people in Prince George.
"Last Christmas I went to the dinner the drop in centre put on and it was such an eye opener," said Keery, who played the lead when Excalibur presented Oliver. "It was such an amazing experience and really inspiring so this year I knew I was going to raise funds again and this time I was going to aim for higher donations and what better way to get people to open up their wallets?
Keery will take it to the stage when she presents A Little Bit of Variety at Art Space, above Books & Co., 1685 Third Avenue, Saturday, Nov. 5 and entry is by cash donation.
The drop in centre provides a safe place for about 70 people to stay each night from Oct. 11 until sometime in February and since Keery needs to be 19 before she can volunteer there on a regular basis, she thought she would help out by raising funds with an evening filled with entertainment.
During the show Excalibur Performing Arts troupe members and Highland dancers will perform, Jaclyn Reimer, a local vocal instructor, will showcase some of her students and Raqqaset Al Qamar belly dancing troupe will perform as well. Glenn Hayley will provide the technical support and Jim Sayle and Trina Chivilo will do a duet while Keery and Taylor Plamondon will perform a hip hop number during the fundraiser.
"I know so many people in the performing arts community and I knew they would volunteer their time and talent to a good cause," Keery said. "And that's amazing."
