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For the fourth straight year Halifax’s top amateur musicians took to the stage to do battle for the title of Halifax’s best corporate band at the Rock for Dimes fundraising event. Nine bands comprised of members of Halifax’s corporate community shook the Halifax Marriott on October 22nd and raised over $30,000 for Halifax children with physical disabilities.
Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Woodstock, guests came dressed in bell bottoms, love beads and peace signs and were entertained by the Piranha Brothers, Terminal Road, Ultrafied, Loose Garage, Flower Cannon, The Trough, The Unforgettables, Red C and Project 501. The bands performed in front of judges who included legendary Halifax actor John Dunsworth, Anna Zee and Tom Bedell from media sponsor Q104. Tom carried double-duty as the evening’s MC.
Before the music started, the crowd of close to 500 heard from Conductive Education® (CE) Nova Scotia participant May Banting and her mother Debra. May started the program four years ago at 15 years old. Her doctors and therapists told Debra and May not to expect much progress, but May has proven them wrong! With the support of her amazing CE Conductors, Beth Brydon and Rachel Salsman, May has made remarkable improvements and has made great strides towards increased independence and mobility.
All proceeds benefit March of Dimes Canada’s Conductive Education® (CE) Nova Scotia program. CE is an innovative program that blends elements of education and rehabilitation to improve the independence, mobility and confidence of children with disabilities, and has proven especially beneficial to children with cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis and developmental apraxia.
This year proved to be a particularly close contest, providing an agonizing decision for the judges. After much deliberation, first-time participants The Trough were declared the winners of Rock for Dimes Halifax 2009. Band Red C raised the most funds through sponsorships and ticket sales. Congratulations to all the bands who created a fantastic 60s atmosphere and provided wonderful entertainment for the crowd.
“This is our fourth year holding Rock for Dimes in Halifax – and it was our biggest and best,” says Mary Lynne Stewart, Director of Fund Development and Communications for March of Dimes Canada. “The Halifax community is so supportive, and this event has allowed us to grow our Conductive Education program and offer it to even more children like May in Halifax.”
A big thank you to the event sponsors, including presenting sponsors BMO Bank of Montreal, Stewart McKelvey, McInnes Cooper, Ferguson Music Productions, Wagner’s Law Firm, TD Bank Financial Group, Capital Health, Advanced Systems, The Halifax Marriott, The Chronicle Herald, and media sponsor Q104.
As well, March of Dimes Canada gives a special thanks to Anna Zee, Tom Bedell and Jason Desrosiers from Q104, actor John Dunsworth, our organizing committee, Marc Belliveau, Bruce Marchard, David Graves and Trevor Briggs, all the bands, volunteers and supporters.
Thank you for helping us grow Conductive Education in Nova Scotia! For more information about the Conductive Education program, please call 1-800-263-3463 or visit www.marchofdimes.ca. |