A Foothills women's shelter raised funds and awareness with the help of local musicians last weekend.
The Rowan House Society hosted Rhythms for Rowan House at the Okotoks Elks Hall on Saturday, Sept. 28.
The lineup of local talent featured Kill The Reverb, Brettyn Rose and Sheep River Bandits, along with an opening solo by 10-year-old singer Hannah Conrad.
"Without the community, we would not be able to do the work that we do, and we're very grateful for their kind hearts and always wanting to support Rowan House Society," said executive director Linette Soldan.
The fundraiser will support the organization's seven core programs: the 24-hour support line, emergency shelter, children's program, preventative education, outreach program, court support program and safe-at-home program.
"All the proceeds that we raise tonight will go into our programming, which will then provide free services for anybody who needs to access them due to experiencing domestic violence and abuse," explained Soldan.
Rhythms for Rowan House is the latest incarnation of the AmiJane Funraiser series, which was created by Ed and Debbie Sands to honour their daughter Amy, who was killed in a 2012 shooting, and to raise funds for Rowan House Society.
"Amy was very passionate about music and dancing, was also very much about the cause of domestic violence and abuse," said Soldan.
"[Ed and Debbie] wanted to make sure to keep her memory going, that they would support in raising funds for Rowan House Society. We would not be able to do what we do if it wasn't for them today."
Rowan House Society has big plans in the near future, with Family Violence Prevention Month being commemorated in November.
"We'll be continuing to raise awareness of domestic violence and abuse," said Soldan. "We do it every day, but this will be a very special month to make sure that we're continually to raise even further awareness about domestic violence and abuse, and the services that we provide to our communities of Foothills County, Vulcan County and M.D. of Willow Creek."
Learn more about Rowan House Society on the organization's website.
