Hope Bridges Gala raises over $6,000

By Sabrina Kooistra - Times Contributor

The Hope Bridges Society’s 13th annual fundraising gala held on Oct. 21 was a showcase of the “Artists Among As.”
Guided by their mission to bridge the gap between secondary school and beyond for Project HOPE students, the board of Hope Bridges felt the interactive and inclusive nature of the arts would be the answer for those in Strathmore and area living with disabilities.
To answer their call to connect citizens to one another, opportunities to learn and practice drumming and singing, drawing and painting, sewing and pottery making, as well as many other hands-on activities are offered.
Annually, Hope Bridges hosts a fundraising gala with the theme Artists Among Us. According to the society’s coordinator, Wanda Reinholdt, the theme of the event is constant to reflect the static nature of their mission.
“Every single person has value and that’s what we are celebrating,” she said.
Nearly 70 performers of all ages and abilities gathered to showcase their talents in an interactive dinner-with-a-show format. Performers – many from Strathmore and area – included the Kool Katz Band, Happy Gang Line Dancers, Rosebud School Chorale, folk band The Dearhearts, Bill’s Big Band, trombonist Colin Haydu, dancer Alison Wilson, Sing Your High Note coordinator Jesse Dollimont, Circles of Rhythm lead Jamie Gore, and Rachel Konschuh and Lisa Jacobs who have performed at Hope Bridges Society galas together for 12 years.
More than 450 people gathered at Hope Community Covenant Church in support of the event, and were encouraged to sing, dance, and drum together along with performers. From this evening alone, a grand total of over $6,000 was raised this year.