Charities grateful for support from We Love Fort Erie concert

A tally on how much money was raised at Saturday’s We Love Fort Erie concert has yet to be officially calculated, but the community still has opportunity to support its cause until the end of the month.

Hosted at the Fort Erie Racetrack and organized by the Fort Erie RONA store and its manager Jeff Hill, the show brought out four bands.

Headlining the show was Escape the Fate, a metalcore-screamo band from Las Vegas that recently toured Europe and is heading to Latin America for a run of dates beginning September 26.

Sven Gali, a Canadian metal band formed in the late 1980s in Hamilton, rocked the crowd. They have been nominated for two Junos and won a MuchMusic award in 1993.

Serena and Nick, two members of Serena Pryne and the Mandevilles, also took the stage, as did The Trip, a local Tragically Hip tribute band.

The event supported two charities; Community Outreach Program Erie (COPE), as well as the Crystal Ridge Dream Center.

Donations continue to be accepted at the Fort Erie RONA store, and t-shirts from the show remain for sale.

“Events like this are how we keep our doors open,” said Lynne Rey, office manager for COPE, adding the food bank on Dufferin Street is “super grateful” to benefit from the concert.

COPE stocks its shelves entirely through community donations, said Rey, noting that events around town, big or small, are welcome to raise money or food for their operation, which has been serving the community for more than 40 years.

Crystal Ridge Dream Center is an outreach organization founded in 2019. Anna Vetere, one of its co-founders, said these types of events are crucial.

“It helps us provide the services we do,” she said, adding the centre prepares between 400 and 600 meals per week for people in the community.

She also said other events raising money for them are encouraged.

“Even if it’s a small donation, it’s greatly appreciated,” said Vetere. “Every dollar counts.”

In 2022, the Fort Erie RONA held the last We Love Fort Erie concert, bringing in $46,000 for COPE.

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