A few weeks after the House the Kids Built concert, the silent auction items are squared away and the donations are counted.
Almost $2,000 was raised.
This wonderful evening of music and food was orchestrated by Joey Clarkson, Habitat for Humanity's unofficial youth ambassador, and an eager team of young volunteers.
"I have been touring with a Habitat rep for the past month or two, speaking at schools in the district telling students about the Habitat program and what they can do to get involved. The response has been terrific. This concert gala was a kickoff for the students' fundraising projects," Clarkson says.
The House the Kids Built is a local, community fundraiser for this internationally renowned organization. Unlike many fundraisers held for international charities, all of the money raised will go towards a local build/project, putting the money and benefits directly back into our community.
The evening featured musicians Alexandria Maillot, Keisja Cox, Clarkson and the Boom-ers and Cathedral Groove. The new song Everybody was premiered, penned by Clarkson and performed with a small choir of schoolchildren who will hold their own fundraisers for the build.
This song, generously produced and sponsored by Andy Lorimer and Susie McGregor of Highland Music, will be released in the spring for purchase on iTunes to further assist efforts in this project.
Since 2004, Habitat for Humanity has built eight homes for hard-working families on the North Island, and they are constructing six more in Courtenay.
"One of the most important things you can do to empower youth is to give them something outside of themselves to put energy into, " says Clarkson, a singer-songwriter who also travels the world teaching musical theatre. "By working together for a common goal, especially a goal as important as housing for those in need, they can see how many people out there care, and see the positive power youth can have if they only reach out and take it.
"The House the Kids Built will be a physical reminder, living long past the life of the competition, of the positive change and contribution we can make to our world when we bring our community, youth and leaders together," says Clarkson.
— The House the Kids Built