15 Oct Vancestock V Raises Over $33,000 For Trails Youth Initiatives!
Vancestock V, Thank You For Helping Us Raise Over $33,000 For Trails Youth Initiatives!
If you happen to see Vance Cooper on the street flashing a big smile and humming a tune, it’s a good bet that he’s reliving one of the wonderful memories he took away from Vancestock V.
On October 6, 2016, Cooper Mediation Inc.’s fifth annual charity event in support of Trails Youth Initiatives had Toronto’s Hard Rock Café buzzing with excitement and filled with the sound of such talented live musical acts as Logan and Jessica and Siblings, Hot Rocks, and featured performer Meghan Patrick. More than 300 people filled the venue in support of the Trails Youth Initiatives.
Together we raised an outstanding $33,000 – enough to fund spaces for four children at Trails’ camp for two weeks during the summer and one a month during the school year. Welcoming at risk youth from the inner city of Toronto to a camp facility in the Newmarket area, this organization provides a place where they can develop their confidence and self-esteem so as to make good life decisions. Ninety per cent of the youth who complete this program go on to post-secondary education compared to just 10 per cent of their peer group. In the five years we’ve held Vancestock, we’ve raised more than $140,000 for this very worthwhile cause.
Vance’s love for live music and passion for promoting the work of Trails has made this event one that he and his family look forward to every year. When asked about his favourite moments from Vancestock V, Vance said:
As I reflect back on the many wonderful moments from this year’s event, three memories stand out: the pride my wife Susan and I experienced while watching our three children perform on stage with Jacob and Jessica; getting up on stage myself to sing “Folsom Prison Blues,” unrehearsed, with Logan and the band; and, finally my mother allowing us to celebrate her 82nd birthday with a giant cake and 300 people singing happy birthday to her. Honourable mention must also go to Asher Honickman for his rendition of Sympathy for the Devil with Hot Rocks (including all of the movements and mannerisms of Mick Jagger).
This year’s line-up featured a superb opening acoustic set by Logan and Jessica. The duo later returned to the stage for a second set rockin’ set with some other members of the family. Meghan Patrick, who performed at the very first Vancestock as a member of the Stone Sparrows, stepped onto the stage as a solo artist and knocked us off our feet with her country-rock set, giving us all a glimpse of a rising star shooting into orbit. Finally, tribute act Hot Rocks lived up to their reputation as the closest thing to the Rolling Stones you’ll see and hear unless Mick, Keith and Company happen to come to town.
Is there any way we can top this year’s event? It will be difficult, but we certainly love a challenge and we are eagerly already planning next year’s event. Mark your calendars – Vancestock VI will take place on Thursday, October 12, 2017. (Please note this is the Thursday that follows Thanksgiving rather than the Thursday before the long weekend.)
The venue is still to be determined and the search for new talent has already begun. In the meantime, relive some of this year’s magic by exploring our photo gallery and checking out the links to music and performances by some of this year’s acts.
If you haven’t already done so, there’s still time to donate to this worthy cause, click here to donate to Trails Youth Initiatives.
VANCESTOCK V: PHOTO GALLERY
VANCESTOCK V: VIDEO GALLERY
THE SPONSORS
Vancestock founder Vance Cooper, a principal at Cooper Mediation Inc., has had a life-long affection for summer camps and a firm belief that they provide a place for young people to learn, grow and flourish. In discovering Trails Youth Initiatives, he decided to create Vancestock as a way to combine this passion and belief with his love of live, local music and his desire to support Toronto’s diverse community.
HELP OUR LOCAL YOUTH
There’s still time to donate! One hundred percent of donations made through Vancestock stay with Trails Youth Initiative, and any donation greater than $10 generates a tax receipt.
Please help us support a very worthwhile cause: a charitable group that gives the city’s vulnerable youth a place to grow and fosters the skills they need to succeed.