Photo by Sean Sisk
Local Rockabilly hipsters and heroes, the Barrow Gang Buskers who graced the Fall 2020 cover of Ottawa Life Magazine (on newsstands now) are up to their nefarious good deeds again. After a summer of busking and giving away their tip jars to multiple charities around the region including the Shepherds of Good Hope and the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre, the Barrow Gang has announced a Go Fund Me campaign for local women’s shelter Maison Libère-Elles to support the incredible work they do for women and children who have been victims of domestic violence, harassment, physical and psychological abuse.
"We were so lucky to be captured in "oil on canvas" this summer by local artist Carole Gagne", says Barrow Gang’s George Stryker — "she did this cool painting of the group playing outside ‘Uncle Bob’ Cabana’s FAB Gear 64 Boutique on Wellington Street, in Hintonburg. We performed there a couple of times this summer and even managed to get ‘Uncle Bob’ to get his giddy-up going and play a couple of tunes with us on the drums." Carole captured the spirit of the Barrow Gang in her work and we just love it. So, Carole agreed that we would give the painting away in a draw with funds being donated to Maison Libère-Elles.
For the past 20 years Robert H. Orange, Vice-President, FMA and the Kanata Branch Investment Advisor with CIBC Wood Gundy has organized and hosted an annual reception and dinner which brings together sixty guests (who purchase tickets) and bid on a variety of silent auction items in support of Maison Libère-Elles. The dinner is held at the renowned Les Fougères, in Chelsea – one of Canada’s most famous restaurants. The owners of Les Fougères have prepared and donated the meal as part of the fundraiser since 2001. Together Orange and Les Fougères have raised over $300,000 for the shelter.
Unfortunately, the 2020 reception and dinner was postponed due to Covid-19 but Les Fougères, Orange and the rest of the team at CIBC Wood Gundy that put together the impressive event have continued their efforts to raise much needed funds for the shelter and will host the dinner again when the Covid-19 crisis passes.
As part of the continuing efforts in support of Maison Libère-Elles, Carole and the Barrow Gang are giving the above painting AWAY to the lucky winner of a draw. Just go to the gofundme.com/f/the-barrow-gang and make your $20 donation to Maison Libère-Elles, and your name will be entered in the draw! 100% of all proceeds go to Maison Libère-Elles!
The great news is that in donating to the go fund me page you are helping make the lives of many women and children who are going through a particularly difficult period to have some joy in their lives.
