'Feed the Hungry' Benefit: Another Great Night of Music
and Fond Memories
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THE WOLF AND HOUND was alive with the sounds of the BC Regiment Irish Pipes and Drums as they marched through the restaurant at the Feed the Hungry benefit. |
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DOUG TAYLOR and Michael Viens of Blackthorn at the annual benefit to help raise funds for the Union Gospel Mission. |
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MICHELLE CARLISLE of the popular traditional band Blackthorn with Santa. |
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THE ROGUES N' TINKERS on stage at the sixth annual Danny Burns Memorial Feed the Hungry benefit. |
By MICHAEL VIENS
VANCOUVER - A great night was had by all at the sixth annual Danny Burns Memorial "Feed the Hungry" Benefit.
December 9 marked another successful night of fundraising for the Union Gospel Mission at the Wolf and Hound in the memory of Danny Burns.
Karen Kelm and Irene Slater did a wonderful job of welcoming everyone at the door and collecting the generous donations. Steph and Kevin Boggan, who have handled this responsibility in years past, were attending a family wedding in Scotland.
This was the first year at the Wolf & Hound with new owner, Jennifer Gallacher, at the helm. Along with her wonderful, hard-working staff, Jennifer did a top-notch job of attending to the full house of Christmas revelers.
It was also nice to see Jacquie Metzler, the previous owner, come by to show her support and visit with friends and dance a jig or two.
As has become the custom over the years, the evening got swinging with the little big band Route 66 featuring Danny's sister Anne on vocals and her husband on trumpet. The BC Regiment Irish Pipes and Drums marched in to the beat of their own drum - there's nothing like a pipe and drum band in close proximity to get the Celtic blood stirring!
The Rogues n' Tinkers with a few friends helping out put on a great set and got the dancers on their feet.
The rest of the night was filled with crowd-pleasing sets by Blackthorn - including some Christmas carols played by Michelle Carlisle's son Ian on trumpet, Copper Sky, The Streels and The Pat Chessell Band.
Toby Rogers made his usual appearance as the jolly old elf and, along with Irene and her husband Tony, ensured everyone had a chance at the 50/50 draw. A good number of folks went home with door prizes thanks to our generous supporters.
A special mention goes to local author and illustrator John Whyte who made a special presentation of two copies of his book Buddy's Adventures In Reading which were included in the door prizes. His book was designed to engender a love of reading in children, so I'm sure they made excellent Christmas gifts.
My heartfelt thanks go out to all the musicians, friends and staff without whom the night would not have been possible and to everyone who took the time out of their busy pre-Christmas schedule to share the night with us and help make it such a success.
Big thanks to the Wolf & Hound, Jacquie Metzler and The Vancouver Shamrock Celtic Supporters Club for their generous donations. In all, we raised over $2,700 and a car full of food donations all of which was graciously received by the Union Gospel Mission.
See you in December!
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