Such is the way of the world that the big fundraisers garner the most attention.
That said, every now and then a less-heralded benefit comes to be — an event no less important to the cause its supporting, but one seeking to find traction in a caring community that’s replete with long-established fundraisers.
“Songs For A Stronger Tomorrow” is the new benefit kid on the block, organized by Peterborough native Pat Rees.
Set for Saturday (June 28) at the 100 Acre Brewing Co. (390 Ashburnham Drive in Peterborough, just south of Neal Drive), the live music-anchored event is a fundraiser for addiction and mental health services provided by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge.
From 2 to 8 p.m., Ottawa-based singer-songwriter Rees will be joined by a number of fellow performers, a list at this point that features the talents of Alex Whorms, Brodie Bell, Laura Pointon, and Brad Renault — all musical friends of Rees.
Billed as “a day of live music, family fun, and community building,” admission to the all-ages event is free, but donations on a pay-what-you-can basis will be gratefully accepted. A silent auction will also help raise money for the cause, with games and food also being made available.
While organizing a benefit is new territory for Rees, his reason for doing so is one we’ve heard time and time again: he wants to give back to the city he called home before he graduated from Adam Scott Collegiate and left the community to attend the University of Guelph.
“Peterborough is still very much home to me,” says Rees, who returns each summer to spend time at the family cottage north of Havelock (his father Terry is the former long-time executive director of the Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations).
“I know Peterborough has a history of supporting the community and the less fortunate. I’ve always wanted to give back there but haven’t had the opportunity. I’m trying the pave the way here for making that happen.”
“I started reaching out for artists months ago,” Rees recalls. “It’s been a little bit of a struggle, but the idea is, with this the first year doing this, to try and get something going — have people out in support, have an (addictions and mental health) education booth, and make it as good and as big as we can, and grow on that for years to come.”
Rees says he has been “working pretty hard at my solo career as an artist” for about eight years, “trying to get my music out there and provide value for listeners of my music.”
“A lot of what I write about is from personal experience with mental health struggles and addiction, and trying to fit in a world that didn’t always seem like I was cookie-cut for the role,” he says, speaking to what “triggered” the idea of organizing a benefit for CMHA-provided services.
VIDEO: “The Wall” – Pat Rees
“It has been a slog,” Rees admits. “It’s hard to make a break as an artist. It takes a lot of energy. The idea of this (the benefit) came about me working really hard to try and make something happen. I’ve never had a dream of selling out 100,000 people shows. It’s been a dream about being able to make an income from sharing these stories and, in turn, have people who find value in community and connection through the songs and the stories.”
“I’ve been fighting really hard for this, for years saying something has got to give, but realizing maybe it doesn’t have to. There’s something else I can do with this passion, and some might say talent: find an opportunity to give back when I’m working so hard on my craft, to have some value come out of it.”
Having played a gig last summer at the 100 Acre Brewing Co., Rees credits the venue’s owners for being “so game and so willing to help make this happen.” As for those who he’ll share the stage with, he says there’s a tie that binds.
“All of the artists involved are starting up their own solo careers in various different stages, but everyone is eager to give back, share their story, and be part of something that brings us all together a little bit.”
“The idea is not to bring out as many people as we can and then have them empty their wallets,” says Rees. “The education part of it is the big thing.”
“I have some family members who have struggled and used these (mental health and addiction) programs, as I have. It’s great that we have these programs but, for a lot of us, until you go through something, or you know someone personally that you’re helping through things, we don’t know who’s using these programs. So the idea is to educate and bring people together more.”
Rees’ music, available for listening on Spotify and YouTube, is a blend of indie, folk, and country influences, with its creator wholly “dedicated to creating music that inspires us to feel, heal, and grow together.”
VIDEO: “The Fool” – Pat Rees
“Playing around the campfire — that’s where I started as a kid,” recalls Rees, adding “That was before I started to delve into the songwriting.”
“Struggling with mental health and addiction and things like that is really what pushed me to realize there’s something more I can share. Going through university, I started to struggle more, and had family members who were struggling. That kind of brought me into writing about that and sharing those experiences — not necessarily all negative. I’ve learned a lot from my mental illness … about how to be resilient and be part of something that’s meaningful.”
“I think I’ve always cared more for the greater good and for everyone to have the opportunities to have a great life, leaning big on the fact that I struggled a lot growing up. But I had support systems that were there to pick me up, now understanding that we’re more alike than we think and trying to push that way.”
Of note, just after the Songs For A Stronger Tomorrow benefit concert is set to end, multiple Juno award-winning singer-songwriter Serena Ryder will be at Peterborough’s Del Crary Park to open the 38th edition of Peterborough Musicfest. With her mental health challenges well documented, and a mental wellness theme running through many of her songs, Rees has gone out on a limb and invited her to drop by.
“She’s definitely an inspiration for a lot of artists,” says Rees.
Now, with fingers crossed that the fundraiser will see a good turnout, Rees says his next goal musically is to release a full album of his songs.
“The next big step is to try to figure out more opportunities to get my songs, and the ideas behind them, in front of more people,” he says. “But the benefit is a big thing for me. It’s very meaningful and empowering for me to be part of something that’s giving back. That propels me to keep working and give my energy to this stuff.”
Meanwhile, Rees is looking for more sponsorship support for the benefit, welcoming anyone interested in helping to phone him at 705-930-2797.
Those who can’t attend but want to contribute to the cause can do so by visiting cmhahkpr.ca/get-involved/donate/ and choosing “Songs For A Stronger Tomorrow Benefit Concert” from the dropdown menu list.
For more information about Pat Rees, including links to his music, visit patreesmusic.com.
