Since 2004, Habitat for Humanity Vancouver Island North has been laser-focused on improving the home environments for north Islanders by building safe and affordable housing for local families.
This year, on April 22, the non-profit organization will be thinking outside the proverbial toolbox by focusing on the beautiful gift we have been given in the form of planet Earth.
“Our Earth Day of Music was initially planned to simply be a 19-plus evening dance,” explained Habitat’s volunteer manager and event organizer, Terri Perrin. “We are thrilled that it now involves a number of other community partners and has garnered the support of a multitude of local businesses, in the form of sponsorships and donations.
“The Earth Day of Music has evolved into two uniquely different events, at one venue, on a single day,” added Perrin. “Both events are a celebration of music and are designed to raise money for and awareness of Habitat’s next affordable housing project on Lake Trail Road, however, the afternoon activities are also designed to be family-friendly, and to give people ideas and inspiration on how to reduce, reuse and recycle in celebration of Earth Day.”
The afternoon of the Earth Day of Music goes from 1 to 4:30 p.m. and features an all ages open mike marathon inside the Band Hall.
It will be hosted by Luke Blu Guthrie and Anela Kahiamoe, and feature local open mike favourite entertainers.
Bar service will be provided by Courtenay Rotary, and use of a sound system is courtesy of Long and McQuade.
There will also be hourly meat draws, with product donated by Quality Foods and ticket sales managed by the Comox Valley Lions Club, plus 50/50 draws and a silent auction. Many of the volunteers and silent auction items will be from the Comox Valley Women’s Business Network.
Representatives from Lake Trail Community Connections will be managing the children’s’ craft area, under tents loaned from Royal LePage in the Comox Valley. And staff and volunteers from Habitat will provide information on how you can support the ReStore through donations of gently used items, or volunteer at the ReStore or a home-building project.
A highlight of the event will be Gayle Bates, from Comox Strathcona Waste Management Services. Recognized by the Recycling Council of British Columbia for her work in educating people about how to reduce their environmental footprints, the always engaging and fun ‘guru of garbage’ will have a display to provide information about the ‘Power of R’ waste reduction program.
Once the afternoon festivities are over, the Band Hall will be transformed with eco-friendly decor for a 19-plus adult dance with Luke Blu Guthrie as the warm up act and Time Well Wasted as the headliner. There will also be a live auction, 50/50 draws and a unique ‘door prize’ draw, where you buy a ticket for a chance to choose the winning key to unlock a Habitat door and win prizes.
“Not only will the Earth Day of Music be fun for everyone, it’s the perfect opportunity for Habitat to celebrate our 13th anniversary on April 12th and our newest build on Lake Trail,” noted Perrin.
“Four new homeowners have been selected for the 10 homes that will be constructed on this site in a multi-phased project over the next three years. We are excited for this construction project to start in September and thank the community for helping make this possible.”
Admission to the Earth Day of Music Open Mike Marathon in the afternoon is by donation. Family activities are free. Tickets to the 19-plus Earth Day Dance are $25 in advance and $30 at the door (if still available).
For tickets and more information visit HabitatNorthIsland.com.