Port Theatre concert fundraiser collects $2,822 for Cornwall hospice

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When Melissa St-Denis was diagnosed with cancer, one of her bucket list entries saw live music.

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“She really wanted that,” said her husband Yvon Godard on Thursday.

And that’s what they did at the Port Theater. The couple saw Mothership, a Led Zeppelin tribute band, on the second floor of the theater. Not only could they protect St-Denis there, as their immune system was weakened, but they could also spend a lot of time alone.

“We could dance to Stairway to Heaven,” said Godard. “We were able to stay secluded and she granted her wish to see a live concert.”

In addition, band members met after the concert with St-Denis.

When Mothership returned to town last weekend, Larry Sylvain, owner of the Port Theater, his staff and many volunteers along with Godard decided to raise funds for Carefor Hospice Cornwall in honor of St-Denis, who died on March 22nd, the age of the age of 56 years.

  1. Seaway Valley Riders RC Road Capt. Mike Dagenais and Kat Alderson, co-committee chairman of the fundraising event, in a July photo outside the hospice.  Photo taken in Cornwall, Ontario.  Todd Hambleton / Cornwall Standard-Freeholder / Postmedia Network Photo

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  2. Although the exact amount raised during Ride for Hospice's fundraiser that Saturday wasn't available at the end of the day, organizers were confident they had at least doubled the $ 17,000 they raised last year .  Photo taken in Cornwall, Ontario on Saturday August 7, 2021.  Francis Racine / Cornwall Standard-Freeholder / Postmedia Network

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  3. Some of the people working on the project on Saturday are Dan Pyke, from left, and students Chad Nichol, Aidan Barkley, Hayden Laframboise, and Jordan Laframboise.  Photo taken on Saturday May 29, 2021 in north Lunenburg, Ontario.  Todd Hambleton / Cornwall Standard-Freeholder / Postmedia Network

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The fundraiser was a real team effort by local businesses like Pommier Jewelers, Direct Muffler, Remax, and Novic Signs all donating gifts for the event, while the Cornwall Community Hospital staff donated funds – even though many of them didn’t attend the concert.

In the end, $ 2,822 had been raised for the hospice.

“The band really came out and did their best to help,” said Godard. “Even though she (St-Denis) was very ill, she always pushed herself out to try and enjoy life a little before cancer took her away.”

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Like many other charities, the hospice worked hard to keep its fundraising going through the pandemic. Personal events such as butterfly releases, walks, etc. have been canceled or held virtually. The annual Telethon in partnership with YourTV Cornwall continues to be the centre’s largest event.

Carefor Hospice Cornwall is a 10 bed facility that provides end-of-life care for families within the community free of charge. While the state government provides funds for most of the personnel costs, the operator of the plant has to bear the other costs.

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