Tina Turley has discovered a way to bring her love of music together with her passion to do good and help others in the community.
For 11 years now, Tina has been hosting Family Traditions HOOT, a day-long, family-friendly, musical event featuring local musicians on the main stage at the Stisted Fairgrounds. HOOT stands for ‘helping out our town’ which is exactly what Tina has been doing for years.
“I’ve always been involved in local fundraising,” Tina said. “I’ve always tried to help out the community. My dad and I used to do a project called the Harvest Jam which was every Thanksgiving Sunday.” For 12 years Harvest Jam raised money to benefit the Salvation Army Christmas toy drive. After her dad died, Tina said she wanted to put on an event that was more family oriented. She talked to some of her musician friends about the idea, and the rest, as they say, is history.
While the day mixes music and fun, at the heart of the idea is raising money to benefit the community. This year’s recipient of the proceeds, the local chapter of the Canadian Mental Health Association, is deeply personal for Tina.
“I have been suffering with a mental illness for the last couple of years,” Tina said. “I had a great misunderstanding about what mental illness was until I was suffering from it. I now realize how much of a stigma and misunderstanding there still is of people who suffer from mental illness and I think it’s important that we try to educate the public and inform them. As my doctor and wonderful nurses and therapists said, you know it’s like having cancer or diabetes – it’s an illness – but it’s so misunderstood and unrecognized.
“A lot of people just think it’s something you can shake off,” Tina confided. “When you suffer and you have all this negativity and misunderstanding, it just makes it harder and harder. So getting the word out there that supporting and understanding is part of the healing process for people is important.”
Tina says this HOOT has something for everyone. There are 12 local bands lined up to perform from all genres including country, rock and jazz. There will be a fundraising silent auction, a horseshoe tournament, face painting, and a market.
As well, Jim Logan of Tasty Creem fame will be on hand with the Stisted Agriculture board serving up old favourites like the King Ferdie and King Koko.
The band line up includes perennial favourites such as The Mahon Family, The Muckers, The Clint Goodwin Band and, of course, Tina Turley and Loose Boots.
The 11th annual Family Traditions HOOT takes place on Saturday, June 17 at the Stisted Fairgrounds. Gates open at 11am and admission is by free-will donation with net proceeds going to the MPS chapter of the Canadian Mental Health Association.
Bring a lawn chair, bring sunscreen and bring your enthusiasm.
For more information, contact Tina Turley at 705-788-4686 or email [email protected]. Visit tinaturley.com for details.
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