Supporting child and youth mental health is the focus of an upcoming charity concert in Chatham-Kent.
After a year-long hiatus, the Music for the Mind concert will return on February 4 at The Kent in Chatham, featuring live entertainment from Walkin’ 47, Dirt Country, Big Shiny Toons, The Just Us Acoustic Trio, and DJ Shawn L. A silent auction table and a 50/50 raffle will also take place.
“I am very excited to be having this concert back up and running, and back indoors as well,” said event organizer Elisha Banks.
The proceeds raised through admissions to the concert and its linked fundraisers will be directed to child and adult counselling services at Family Service Kent, as well as the KIDS Team Program for psychological assessments for children and youth.
Banks said the charity concert will help remove financial barriers for families.
“It’s really important for me to do what I can do to make sure those resources are available to people regardless of their financial situation,” said Banks.
In 2019 and 2021, close to $92,000 was raised through the Music of the Mind fundraiser, which was donated to the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance for use in the hospital’s Inpatient Mental Health Unit.
“I am somebody who knows firsthand the importance of receiving support, whatever that looks like, to help manage and keep your mental health in a good place,” said Banks. “[I know] the value of them and the role that they play in keeping somebody who struggles with mental health in a good place.”
Tickets for Music for the Mind can be purchased by contacting organizers through the event’s Facebook page or by calling 519-437-5254.
