Mennonite musicians raise funds for Winnipeg women's shelter

November 23, 2012 | Young Voices
Emily Loewen | Young Voices Co-Editor

After a Winnipeg shelter for women and children fleeing domestic violence lost out on $450,000 from the city, local recording artist and record label manager Michael Petkau Falk decided to help.

After consulting with a number of artists, Head In The Sand Records launched a fundraiser where customers can purchase eight albums for $50. All the money from each purchase goes straight to Osborne House.

In addition to running a record label, Petkau Falk has a day job as a recording engineer at the Mennonite Church Manitoba studio in Winnipeg. Furthermore, many of the participating artists—such as Demetra Penner, Royal Canoe, The Liptonians and Les Jupes—have connections with, or grew up in the Mennonite church.

Before launching the sale, Petkau Falk presented artists with two options for the fundraiser. The first had the artists keep 20 per cent and donate 80, the second was to donate all the money, 'Every single one came back fully in support of donating all of the proceeds,' he said in an email.

Due to printing for the fundraiser posters and the cost of the CDs, Head In The Sand expects the fundraiser will cost them approximately $400, 'but that's part of our own donation,' Petkau Falk wrote.

Before the fundraiser started, the label connected with Osborne House to ensure it would be sensitive to the shelter's clients and the overall mission.

Osborne House has 45 beds for women and children escaping domestic abuse, providing meals, counseling and case support to help women rebuild their lives. The shelter also runs a 24-hour crisis hotline.

Domestic violence is an important issue for Petkau Falk.'I have known several families who have been impacted by domestic violence and have seen what it can do to children,' he said. 'I've long known of Osborne House and the critical role they play. This seemed like an appropriate and much-needed time to get involved.'

While Petkau Falk has never done anything like this before, he hopes to carry out similar projects in the future.

To read more about the artists or purchase the fundraiser package visit the Head In the Sand Website.

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