Haiti concert testament to ‘community spirit'

January saw an outpouring of aid for Haiti — both on large and local scales.

The Aeolian Hall held a benefit concert on January 21 for Haiti relief, raising $23,266 - more than double their original goal of $10,000.

“It was a great night for the power of community,” said Clark Bryan, executive director of Aeolian Hall. “We were just thrilled to see that level of community spirit.”

The night was hosted by Sunfest, the Aeolian Hall and Home County Folk Festival and featured multiple local performers.

The evening also included over 200 donated items for a silent auction — including diamond necklaces and handmade guitars.

“It was amazing to see people and organizations stepping up to the plate,” said Bryan. Average donations went from $25 to $100 and those in attendance were not of a necessarily wealthy demographic, he added.

A cheque for over $23,000 is presented to The Red Cross from monies raised from a benefit concert for relief efforts in Haiti.

The Western Fair came forward with $2,000 for the cause, as well as the London Potters' Guild.

One event highlight besides the performances was a Haitian audience member who got up to speak about his family. The organizers had no idea he would be in attendance, but his presence was a way to bring a face to the situation as he spoke about his sister that requires heart surgery but likely won't receive it any time soon.

“It was quite a plea for help,” said Bryan. “Very personalized.”

The night made Bryan wonder about the next step the Aeolian Hall could take in terms of helping situations like Haiti.

“It left me hanging to see how to continue the aid,” he explained. “It's still a really terrible situation.”

Currently, the Aeolian Hall is looking at making such events part of their mandate, while also balancing them with events focused on issues “happening in our own backyard,” he said.

The idea is to look at the bigger picture.

“We want to balance (our goals) with a clear vision, a vision that benefits the many, not just the one,” he said. “(That's) the key to success.”