~2nd Annual Nimkee-Blessings Benefit Concert~

~my son Brendan, aka "Introducing Bennett"

~Well, it's that time again.  That time of year to put this plan into action and make this another successful event to help out the families with babies in the NICU at Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Here's a link to the details of last year's event:  Annual Nimkee-Blessings Benefit Concert .

We have found a venue location and are very grateful to the Chief and Council of Sheguiandah for allowing us to host our event on Saturday, August 20th, at the Ball Field/Pow Wow Grounds on Hwy 6. on Manitoulin Island .  This location will provide ample space with parking, washroom facilities, and a children's play area as this will be a family event.  The water is nearby, but I ask that all children be supervised while near the beach area especially!

If you know anyone that may be able to assist in the planning, or have any advice, please let us know by leaving a comment with your suggestions here on this post, or email Melissa at nimkee.blessings@gmail.com.


We will also require a confirmation of musicians that are interested in donating their time to this very worthy cause.  I've had a friend do most of the legwork here---Dave Southwood---(thanks Dave!)---and he's worked very hard to secure the venue location, find bands, and many other details in between!  I couldn't have done this without his gracious assistance.  Dave has informed me that we've had 3 bands cancel so we're scouting bands to provide some entertainment for this very worthy cause.  This year I am hoping to be able to make enough money to help cover some travel expenses to the bands that are able to attend.  Last year's bands were amazing and generous, and their support will be eternally cherished and appreciated.

We are very grateful for all of the volunteers that helped to make last year's first concert a success.  It was a real learning experience and we hope to become bigger and better in years to come.  If you'd like to donate your time or have some fund-raising ideas to offer please don't hesitate to contact us.  All suggestions or offers of assistance will be graciously considered.

I have set up a group specifically for volunteers, so feel free to join is here if you are on facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/nimkeeblessings/   

More information and the story behind the creation of Nimkee-Blessings can be found at this link: 
http://projectsweetpeas.com/

*Nimkee-Blessings is an International Affiliate of Project Sweet Peas, a registered charity based out of the United States of America.

~Plans in the Making~

~Well, it's that time again.

That time of year to begin thinking about and planning our 2nd Annual Nimkee-Blessings Benefit Concert .

We are requesting some feedback concerning venue ideas, so if you know of a location on Manitoulin Island that may be feasible, please let us know by leaving a comment with your suggestions here on this post, or email Melissa at nimkee.blessings@gmail.com.

The location will require ample space with parking, washroom facilities, and preferably a children's play area as this will be a family event.

We will also require a confirmation of musicians that are interested in donating their time to this very worthy cause.

We are very grateful for all of the volunteers that helped to make last year's first concert a success.  It was a real learning experience and we hope to become bigger and better in years to come.  If you'd like to donate your time or have some fund-raising ideas to offer please don't hesitate to contact us.  All suggestions or offers of assistance will be graciously considered.

More information and the story behind the creation of Nimkee-Blessings can be found at this link: 
http://projectsweetpeas.com/

*Nimkee-Blessings is an International Affiliate of Project Sweet Peas, a registered charity based out of the United States of America.

~LINK to the 1st ANNUAL NIMKEE BLESSINGS CONCERT EXPOSITOR FEATURE from Sept. 8, 2010

~Click HERE to read the Expositor story


It may take a minute or so to upload for viewing.....so please be patient......sing a song, or count the seconds :O)

~The AFTER Benefit Concert Update~

Nimkee's big brother Brendan, founder of INTRODUCING BENNETT

~Sunday, Sept 5th turned out to be a beautiful, warm, sunny day.  Many local families gathered together to share in our planned festivities, and a great day was had by all.


I was overwhelmed with great joy and deep gratitude as I looked around and saw the faces of people that I had never met before---and here they were---setting up tables, selling tickets for donated items from various Manitoulin Island businesses, home-baked goods, and who can forget Landon's Lemonade Stand!!


Landon is a little local boy that is fighting leukemia.  He too endures many trips to Sick Kids Hospital and his mother Marilee knows all too well what we families must experience in order to keep our children healthy, comfortable, and alive.  Landon and his wonderful Mommy Marilee set up a lemonade stand and graciously donated all the proceeds to my project NIMKEE BLESSINGS!  God bless you Landon---please know that you have a couple of very loving Guardian Angels watching over you at my request.  Their names are Noah-Alexander, & Bennett-Chadlen....aka Nimkee.


~GREAT BIG THANKS to my nephew PAUL aka "Commander"---I appreciate everything you did to help us out!  Love you muchly XXOO


Thank you Marilee for helping out as you did!  The painted faces made me smile through my tears, your thoughtfulness and generosity will never be forgotten.


Various volunteers collected donations of items and services which were raffled off through a silent auction.  


Thanks to our many generous sponsors:

• The Manitoulin Expositor for running our ad for 2 consecutive weeks, and for doing a couple of feature stories about our family, and my project Nimkee Blessings!
• NACK's Store in Manitowaning for their generous donation of various craft items used to keep our visiting children busy---colouring books, crayons, bubbles, face paints, paints, brushes, temporary tattoos, cardstock paper for my business cards, etc,  and toys for a draw!  And thanks for lending us your table because I forgot mine!

• The following businesses graciously donated items which were used in our silent auction/raffle draws:
• Soul Hope
• Carl's Trading Post
• Huron Lodge Motel
• South Bay Gallery
• JD Garden Centre
• Ward's General Store
• Manitoulin Espresso Bar
• Mum's Restaurant
• Roosterant
• Happy Moose

BIG THANKS to the following volunteers for all of your help!

• Stace McGauley
• Christine Lee McNaughton
• Jennifer Hooper
• Rhonda Martin
• Carrie Hull-Spry
• Jena Bowerman
• Allison Pyette
• Marilee Harasym and LANDON for their lemonade stand!!!

~Much gratitude to LUKE SELLEN for making everyone SOUND GREAT!

~Much love & gratitude to our wonderful musicians:

• INTRODUCING BENNETT ft Brendan, Pete, Jason, & Tedd
• BRAND NEW EYES ft Brendan, Jason, Matt, Cindy, & Justin
• LOW GUNS ft Luke Sellen & Dwayne Trudeau
• CRYPT aka Michael Stevenson---who also proposed to his gf that night following his performance---she said YES!  CONGRATULATIONS Michael & Carissa---may you have love and happiness together for the rest of eternity!
• Dave Southwood & son Skylar, Darren Madahbee, & Damien Thibodeau
• Digger Wyman, Wayne Smith, & Robbie Shawana
• Leslie Neshkiwe
• Pat Peltier & bandmates

YOU GUYS ROCK!!!!  


~AND WE CAN'T FORGET OUR MAGICIAN!!  Gchi-miigwech to Ashlee Manitowabi for his wonderful, and mesmerizing performance!!  I wish my camera had been working so that I could have taken some pics!!


Thank you all from the bottom of my bottomless heart.  Without you there'd be no concert----I feel blessed and forever touched by your generous donation of time and talent.

~Thanks to The Manitoulin Islanders & their volunteers for all of their hard work and making sure no one went hungry!

~And last, but certainly NOT LEAST---thanks to Rita & Terry of Gordon's Park and staff for allowing us the use of their beautiful landscape.  It was perfect!!  The kids loved the mini-putt and playground!  We'll definitely be back next summer to enjoy some of your star-gazing nights!!!


The children enjoyed our 3 pm presentation by a local magician from the Debajehmujig Theatre Group here on Manitoulin Island.  Gchi-miigwech to Ashlee Manitowabi for his stellar performance!  You boggled my mind---great show!


The show got underway as INTRODUCING BENNETT performed for us.  As most of you already know, my eldest son Brendan began this musical project during my pregnancy with Bennett-Chadlen as we knew that his time here with us may be cut short due to his prenatal diagnosis of Trisomy 13.  It was a coping mechanism and very therapeutic for Brendan to work through his emotions with music.  I'm very proud of you Brendan----we all are-----especially our Little Thunder "Nimkee".


The spirit of the cause hung heavy in the air, but was uplifting and cheery.  The number of musicians that came out to help us entertain and raise funds was phenomenal.  I wish that more people had been able to witness this amazing talent with us, but overall it was a wonderful and memorable day which has touched my heart deeply.


GCHI-MIIGWECH to EVERYONE for coming out to support us, & entertain us, so that we may reach out and help some other NICU families through their own healing journeys.  I couldn't have done this without you!  


Love, Peace, & Nimkee Blessings 
Melissa XXOO

INTRODUCING BENNETT

CRYPT aka Michael Stevenson, Digger Wyman, & sound engineer extraordinaire Luke Sellen

Darren Madahbee, Dave Southwood, & Damien Thibodeau

Leslie Neshkiwe

Digger Wyman & Wayne Smith

BRAND NEW EYES ft Brendan, Jason, Matt, Cindy & Justin

Pat Peltier Band

Skylar Southwood, Darren Madahbee, Dave Southwood, Damien Thibodeau, Luke Sellen

Wayne Smith, Digger Wyman, & Robbie Shawana

Reggie Leach (NHL record holder & current coach of the Manitoulin Islanders team) & my Dad---Larry Roy (retired General Manager of the same team)

My Family--L to R--Mason, Tanner, Tristan, Grampa Cannard, my Mom--Glena Roy

~LINK TO OUR MANITOULIN EXPOSITOR STORY~

CLICK HERE for our Manitoulin Expositor story

I have been trying to share this link on facebook but it won't work for some reason?!  I have tested this link here and it did lead me to the story.  

Good luck, I hope it works for 

you!

Thanks to Michael Erskine for his time in interviewing Brendan and I, and for writing this story----very well written and thought provoking!  

Much thanks to Rick, his family, & the staff of the Manitoulin Expositor for sharing this story and for also providing us with our advertising for our event!

Love, Peace, & Nimkee Blessings to you all,

Melissa & family xxoo

  

~1st ANNUAL NIMKEE-BLESSINGS/INTRODUCING BENNETT BENEFIT CONCERT~LINE-UP INFO & UPDATES!!!

~**~NIMKEE BLESSINGS & INTRODUCING BENNETT~**~ are co-hosting a Benefit Concert on SUNDAY, SEPT 5th at Gordon's Park (18777 Hwy 6), Tehkummah, Manitoulin Island! 


We will have lots of great entertainment for young and old alike, & fun things for the kiddies to do! 


~ALL PROCEEDS go to helping families with babies in the SICK KIDS HOSPITAL NICU in Toronto, Ontario.


$10 for ages 15+ 
$5 for children 5-15 
FREE for children 4 & under  


FEATURING: 

•  2-2:30 Introducing Bennett (Brendan, Pete, Jason, Tedd) 
•  2:30-3 Tedd Jensen 
•  3-4 Pat Peltier 
•  4-4:30 Leslie Neshkiwe 
•  4:30-5:30 Dave Southwood & Darren Madahbee 
•  5:30-6 Digger Wyman 
•  6-7 Brand New Eyes (Brendan, Jason, Cindy, Justin, Matt) 
•  7-7:30 Damien Thibodeau 7:30-8 CJ, Brendan, and probably Jason! 
•  8-9 Low Guns (Luke Sellen & Dwayne Trudeau) 
•  9-9:30 CRYPT (Michael Stevenson)
•  9:30-10 Introducing Bennett (Brendan, Pete, Jason, Tedd)

NEWS UPDATE:

WE ALSO HAVE A MAGICIAN FOR THE KIDS!!!

Children's activities so far:

• Face painting
• Rock painting--make something for the garden!
• Colouring & Drawing station--will have a display board to showcase art!
• Playground
• Bubbles
• For a park fee: Mini-putt, heated swimming pool WITH ADULT SUPERVISION for anyone under 16
• Nimkee Blessings Corn Roast
• BBQ w funds going to The Manitoulin Islanders---come on out and support your local team!!!
• Bake Table!

~1st ANNUAL NIMKEE-BLESSINGS/INTRODUCING BENNETT BENEFIT CONCERT~

Benefit Concert at Gordon’s Park (18777 Hwy 6)

Sunday, September 5^th

2pm-10pm

ALL PROCEEDS go to helping families with babies in the SICK KIDS HOSPITAL NICU in Toronto, Ontario

Great entertainment and activities for young and old alike!

Camping-tipi/tent, cabins, heated pool, 18-hole mini-put--13 mins from the Chi-cheemaun ferry!

Tickets will be sold in advance and at the door. If you cannot make it, please considering purchasing a ticket as a donation for this very worthy project!

$10 for ages 16+

$5 for children 5-15

FREE for children under 4

Featuring:

Introducing Bennett: Brendan Pinand, Jason Girdwood, Peter Jones, & Tedd Jensen	Brand New Eyes:  Cindy Thornton, Justin Lussier, Matt Bond, Jason Girdwood, & Brendan Pinand
LOW GUNS: Dwayne Trudeau & Luke Sellen	Tedd Jensen
Dave Southwood	Leslie Neshkiwe

& More

Food provided by The Manitoulin Islanders-come on out and support our local team!

*This is a family event; please no alcohol, drugs, or dogs!

**Bring your own lawn chair.

For more information:

 Please contact Melissa Roy @ (705) 370-1583 or email nimkee.blessings@gmail.com

Or visit our Website at: www.nimkee-blessings.blogspot.com