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LETTER: Barney Bentall show a project for many

Weekly letters to the editor from within the Sooke community.

Re: Barney Bentall and the Cariboo Express

Five years ago I went to see my son Adam playing with Barney Bentall at a show in Sidney.

I approached Barney and asked him what the chances were of bringing his show to Sooke. He told me he would give it some thought.

After bugging his son Dustin if he had heard any news, he told me to contact Barney directly. After a few more emails Barney said the tour would allow it and asked me to go ahead and organize the show for Sooke.

So four years ago at a bit of a loss as of where to start, I contacted Marlene Barry, with the Sooke Volunteer Centre, and the EMCS program office to book the theatre and asked if they knew of anyone that might be able to assist me.

I was given Thom Southwood’s name and so contacted him. He put me onto Steve Anderson and along with Leighanne Georgeson’s help me put together an amazing group of people whose selfless hard work made the next four years so successful.

I must also thank our sponsors without whose support we could not have raised more than $40,000 for the Sooke Food Bank.

And to Barney Bentall and the Cariboo Express: thank you for putting on such fantastic shows.

Once again, thank you to all the volunteers who helped with my with my dream and to the people of Sooke who support us.

Mel Dobres

Sooke