For the third year, Chatham-Kent music lovers came out in a big way to help the people of Haiti.
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A large crowd was on hand Saturday for Rise House Rock-a-Thon at Sons of Kent Brewing Co. in Chatham, featuring a full lineup of local bands on two stages.
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The event is ongoing, with the music continuing until 11 pm, for those who still wish to attend.
Emily Caron (née Hime), Rise House International founder, was impressed with the response, adding the support continues to grow for various fundraising initiatives.
“It’s amazing. Every year it just gets better and better,” she said.
Admission is by donation for Rock-a-Thon, which is presented by CK Cardiac Imaging Centre, with numerous other local sponsors also involved.
Participating bands include:
– Walkin’ 47
–Dirt Country
–Big Shiny Toons
–Milhouse
– Cellar Door
–Southwind Buoys
– DTX: Dave Trinca Xperience
–Paper Jam
– North Shore Folk
– Just Us
–Cole Pereira
– Smith and Walker
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Rise House International was founded in 2019 to help empower individuals, families and communities.
However, Caron’s involvements began years before that, through humanitarian work in 2010 when she traveled to Ghana, Africa, and saw the poverty, disease and injustices first-hand.
In 2011, she made the trip to Haiti, which only deepened her passion to help.
She founded the grassroots, non-profit organization, Hime For Help, which was involved in Maison Ke Kontan Children’s Home, but she later saw an even greater need.
This included children who have living parents, but are institutionalized because the parents are unable to provide for them, believing an orphanage will give them a better chance at life.
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The mission then became helping individuals and families rise above poverty, providing a sustainable future for them. Family reunification is also a key goal.
Caron said the “last few years have been really challenging” in Haiti, noting the organization also performs outreach work, while offering business training.
The turmoil in the country has resulted in closed airports and shipping ports, only worsening the situation.
Brock McGregor, Rise House board president, said monetary donations are the most efficient way of helping those in need.
“Inflation hits Haiti really hard, so every dollar helps,” he said.
For more information, visit https://risehouse.ca/
This story will be updated.
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