TD presents COLIN MOCHRIE AND DEBRA MCGRATH – “ONE COUPLE SHOW” in association with Algoma’s Water Tower Inn & Suites in support of Welcome Friend Association and Rainbow Camp™.
Colin Mochrie (Whose Line Is It Anyway & This Hour Has 22 Minutes) and Debra McGrath (Little Mosque On the Prairie) are bringing their incredible comedy and improv talents to the Sault on May 6, 2016. Join the fun and the hilarity of these two Canadian icons
Local TD staff and Welcome Friend Association’s chair Harry Stewart and partner Chris Southin were in the Station Mall helping to make people aware of the upcoming event. The name Colin Mochrie is not that familiar but as soon you show them the poster with Colin and Debra’s picture on it the light goes on…Oh!…I know that guy – he’s on TV – Whose Line Is It Anyway!!!
This Canadian couple share their funny life stories through hilarious improvisation and routines that invite audience participation through suggested improv scenarios. Who knows, maybe even experience a once in a lifetime chance to join them on-stage?
“The Welcome Friend Association is thrilled to have TD as the returning Presenting Sponsor and Algoma’s Water Tower Inn & Suites as the Associate Sponsor for this important event. This annual fundraiser is in support of Rainbow Camp™, which provides opportunities for campers to make new friends, develop skills and is a fun place to come “OUT” and be themselves! Over the past 4 years, the camp has seen over 100 youth from across Canada and with various backgrounds enjoy a memorable.
Rainbow Camp™ registrations have started early this year says Stewart. A mom writes “Thank you for all you do. My son is going through a lot of gender related changes. I don’t know where he would have been right now where it not for Rainbow Camp!” A parent called and stated that his son had tried to commit suicide last fall and that his son really wants to go to Rainbow Camp this year, he has come out to his parents but has no support system in place within the local high school. There are so many stories from our youth of heart ache, rejection, loneliness, no where to go – they or their parents/guardians/CAS reach out to us to come to camp. While Rainbow Camp is only 5 days, for many, it’s the most important 5 days of their lives.
One camper writes, last year I was able to figure out more about myself, as in sexuality, gender, and identity, and I was able to help other people along their path to theirs. Another thing I love about rainbow camp, which is that people are there to support you, not just staff but the campers too! They are there to be your friends (rainbow family) but also they support you in your own choosing of identifying who you really are. It’s not just the feeling you get when you know you’re helping others along their path, but the feeling that your one of those few people who really care about gay rights, or the right to be transgender and any other way you choose to identify your shelf. It’s not just the overwhelming feeling of when people support you or except who you are, but it’s the feeling that other people care. These are the people that change the world for a better place. It’s like what Martin Luther king junior said once “I wish for people not to be judged on the color of their skin but the content of their character.”
We have campers that come from the east and west coast with the majority of them coming from Ontario. Over one third of our campers are trans youth and I suspect that is going to continue to grow.
No camper is turned away due to financial restrictions. Welcome Friend Association can sponsor campers registration fee of $275 and travel to and from camp – from anywhere in Canada…thus why we do fundraising.
It has become apparent that we will need to offer another week of camp for younger youth – I have had many calls this year from parents of trans children 8 – 12 who are looking for a place for their child to go say Stewart.
Many times I am asked what people can do to help out says Stewart. While monetary funding is always helpful, by going to events like our Colin Mochrie and Deb McGrath show, you can also donate online – right now, we have a crowd funding program running with the help of Northern Credit Union. “Help Send A Youth To Rainbow Camp”. http://www.truenorthstrong.ca/campaigns/help-send-a-youth-to-rainbow-camp The nice thing about donating directly to this campaign is there are no service charges to Rainbow Camp – what you donate is exactly what the camp receives. You can also help spread the word about Rainbow Camp™.
We have approached the two local school board about possibility having a one-day Queer youth workshop day in the Sault. The idea is to have all high school aged youth from across the district come to the Sault and learn more about Queer issues and get to know other students who many not know other youth like themselves. Being Queer outside Sault Ste. Marie can be even more isolating than within the city limits. Inviting teachers, local Child and Youth students from the local higher education programs and have a venue for local agencies to showcase their programs that they may have for youth.
There are always items that can be donated to camp that we can use. Contact WFA for the list and/or go online to WelcomeFriend.ca
Help be a part of positive change!
For more information, contact:
Harry Stewart, President
Welcome Friend Association
76 Dawson Street, Box 242
Thessalon, ON P0R 1L0
Phone: 888-909-2234 x105
