Maybe $15,000 wasn’t too lofty a goal, after all.
Her Brothers, a Langley band made up of members of the Penner family – brothers Gabe, Josh, and Levi – hosted a benefit concert Saturday night to help families – like theirs – struggling to rebuild their lives after wildfires destroyed their Fort McMurray earlier this month.
“With the support of many generous individuals, local businesses, and service organizations, the event was a home-run,” said Gabe, the lead singer for Her Brothers.
Having recently returned from a concert tour in Northern Alberta where the band experienced the generous and hospitable culture of the north, he said there was an immediate connection and desire to help those affected.
Along with the matching funds provided by the federal government, the concert raised more than $14,000 for the Red Cross.
Then fans called on the band to make an appeal for additional donations to go toward the smaller organizations on the ground in Fort McMurray.
The band responded by taking a collection and the audience “generously” gave another $1,500, Gabe added.
Her Brothers, along with special guests, soulful singer Crystal Hicks, and violinist Alexander Knopp, lead the crowd in what Gabe described as “an energetic, highly interactive, and emotionally engaging evening.”
One of the many highlights of the evening was when Gabe brought six-year-old Langley resident Mila Tasse on stage to join him in singing I choose love over hate, what I’m for than against.
Support for the fundraiser came from a variety of businesses and organizations.
Corporate donors included Envision Financial, Save-On-Foods, The Keg, Milsean, The Passionate Home, Wild West Gardens, Jordan Rawcliffe Productions, 3 Guardians Photography, and more.
Community leaders and organizations who volunteered and generously supported the event also included Township of Langley fire department, Langley RCMP, Aldergrove Rotary Club, Fraser Point Church, LifeApp.ca, Mayor Jack Froese, MP Mark Warawa, MLA Peter Fassbender, students of Langley Fine Arts School, Miss BC Pageant, and the Chief Sepass Theatre staff.
Her Brothers is a band inspired by the Penner boy’s little sister Tiana to be a positive voice challenging men to change the way the view and treat women.
They have been touring and bringing their message and music to B.C. and Alberta schools since speaking at We Day Vancouver in October 2015.
This concert, held in their own backyard, was another way for the Penner boys to make a positive impact on the world.
Guardians Photography photos
CAPTION: MP Mark Warawa was among the politicians who supported and attended Saturday's benefit concert, hosted by Langley's Her Brothers band, in aid of Fort McMurray fire victims.
CAPTION: Township of Langley Mayor Jack Froese, representing Aldergrove Rotary, presented Her Brothers with a cheque for $500 for the relief efforts in Fort McMurray.
CAPTION: Six-year-old Mila Tasse joined Gabe Penner and other members of Her Brothers on stage Saturday during a benefit concert in Fort Langley.
CAPTION: Her Brothers, a Langley band, helped raise more than $15,000 for the victims of the Fort McMurray fires on Saturday night with a benefit concert.