You’ve been to the Sooke Hard Times Dance during the cold, dark hours of wintertime, so now get ready for its sun-tanned summer cousin: the Good Times Dance — coming up on Aug. 28 at the Sooke Community Hall.
The dance will feature the musical and entertainment pleasure of all-time-awesome band, Phoenix, who will play all night long.
Best of all though, all the proceeds go to the Tour de Rock and Cops for Cancer events.Each fall, over 100 law enforcement and emergency services personnel from across the province cycle up for two weeks across Vancouver Island, Northern B.C., the coast of British Columbia and the Fraser Valley.
S/Sgt Steve Wright of the West Shore RCMP, one of the central organizers of the Tour de Rock, said the reason why they called it the Good Times dance is because they wanted to name it after Camp Good Times, a notable camp for children suffering from cancer.
Wright and his family have been active for years in the Sooke community when it comes to organizing fundraisers. Three Lions clubs, Sooke included, are involved in helping organize the dance.
All the money will go towards the fund-raising efforts of three riders from the military police who are taking part in the Tour de Rock.
“It’s nice to have a face for Sooke to see in the dance, and where the money is going to, and that there are real people who live in this community who we’re helping, some of whom are still fighting cancer as we speak,” Wright said.
Wright was the S/Sgt. in Sooke before moving over to the West Shore detachment.
In the Sooke community over the years Wright managed to raise tens of thousands of dollars for cancer research — as a result, the Canadian Cancer Society recognized the contribution the community of Sooke has made, so they made it a stop as part of the ride.
“It means a lot to the kids to see the riders come into town, because it’s such a positive role model for them,” he said. “It’s heartwarming for us to see that.”
It also meant a lot to Wright to be able to finally take part in the Tour de Rock ride last year, with proceeds once again going towards the cancer research and camp Good Times.
“There have been many children struck with cancer in the community and many families in Sooke have benefited from the Tour de Rock,” he said. “In our 17th year now, we’ve raised over $20 million for Camp Good Times as well as cancer research.”
Last year, Wright suffered a separated shoulder and torn ligaments after falling off his bike near Tofino during theTour de Rock ride, but that still didn’t stop him from finishing the event, even without a bike. After all, some things are worth fighting for no matter what, he noted.
“When you’re actually doing the ride or difficult training sessions, you think of those kids who you’re doing this for,” he said. “A few aches and pains are nothing compared to what they have to endure.”
The Wright family, along with all the other local organizers hope many will come down for the dance and support a good cause in the community.
“We’re hoping this will turn out to be a great fundraiser and a really fun time for everybody,” said Ailsa Wright, his wife, also one of the main organizers.
Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the band, Phoenix, starts playing at 8 p.m. and goes until 1 a.m. Tickets are available at Peoples Drug Mart and Shoppers Drug Mart.
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