MONTREAL – After a devastating fire ripped through an apartment building in Verdun on Christmas Day, leaving 50 people homeless, the community quickly rallied in support of the victims.
Donations came pouring in after a call-to-action on Facebook from Verdun’s borough mayor, Jean-François Parenteau.
READ MORE: Community rallies to help Verdun Christmas fire victims
And now the the community is at it again, this time with a benefit concert at the Crowley Arts Centre, located at 5325 Crowley Ave in N.D.G.
Nick Patulli, owner of the Crowley Centre, said he jumped at the chance to help out when contacted by events promoter Cyndi Turner.
The concert starts at 2:00 p.m. Sunday and $10 will get you through the door.
Some 10 bands will take to the stage, including blues enchantress Barbara Diab, the Balconvillains and a special guest appearance by master blues guitarist Steve Rowe.
The little ones haven’t been forgotten. A troupe of super heroes will keep the kids entertained from 2 to 5:30 p.m.
While organizers don’t have a set goal on how much they hope to raise, they are counting on the community’s generosity to make the evening a success.
“We know that times are tough,” Patulli said. “Whatever they can give, would be greatly appreciated to give back to these poor families who have lost everything.”
And while the mayor didn’t spearhead the initiative, he’s been actively promoting the event on social media, saying the money collected will “offer a true new beginning to the Christmas Day’s victims.”
Parenteau also said, he’ll be attending the concert so that he can “say thank you and share this wonderful moment” with residents.
WATCH BELOW: About 50 people spent Christmas on the street after a fire ripped through a six-unit housing complex in Verdun Friday evening.
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