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| Hot Times Across the Country! |
Greetings and welcome to the 6th issue of the Rock for Dimes e-newsletter! As you will see, the 2015 season for this March of Dimes signature event shows that the fundraiser is just getting better and better!
As you read this, I hope you are looking forward to a warm and enjoyable summer that will help you forget the harsh, cold months that so many parts of the country had to deal with this past winter. Despite the cold, there were some very hot Rock for Dimes activities that helped to take the chill out of the air, but keep the “cool” in the event – take a look to see who attended, who judged and who won.
Also to help heat things up, we’ve included some very heart-warming moments from across the land with highlights on the grateful recipients of the Istvan and Barbara Haas Vehicle Retrofit Initiative.
And just when you thought it couldn’t get any hotter…take a look at the upcoming dates and places for the next Rock for Dimes blast!
So grab a cool, refreshing drink, turn up the air conditioner, and enjoy this too-hot-to-handle issue of the Rock for Dimes enewsletter.
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| And the Smokin' Hot Award goes to... |
 From Manual to Full Power in Calgary!
On February 2, 2015 Calgary experienced its 8th Rock for Dimes event! The evening was electric and the bands were on fire. But part of the intensity came from a very special presentation — The Istvan and Barbara Haas Vehicle Retrofit Fund awarded $15,000 to David D’Amour.
David is a quadriplegic who has led a very active life, playing wheelchair rugby, volunteering in the community and helping other people with spinal cord injuries learn to adapt. David has limited use of his arms, and years of use have led to deterioration of his upper body muscles and joints. As a result, he needs to transition to a power wheelchair, which won’t fit into his current vehicle.
March of Dimes Canada’s funding will now allow David to obtain a fully accessible van, so he can get back his independence. “This (funding) will help me get back out there,” says David. “I need a motorized wheelchair and this van will allow me to get back to my normal life,” he continues.
Congratulations David!
Peace-of-Mind in Vancouver
 The date was February 26th. The venue was the Red Room Ultra Bar in Vancouver. The scene was people gathered with great anticipation to root for their favourite bands, but also to witness another favourite – the awarding of this year’s second recipient of the Istvan and Barbara Haas Vehicle Retrofit Fund – Hailey Graham.
Hailey is a 26-year-old Nanaimo resident living with spastic quadriplegia from cerebral palsy. Haylie is non-verbal and requires full-time support. She is a very active young woman, participating in power wheelchair soccer and attending a number of community events through a local social club. However, her current van is over 12-years-old and unreliable, frequently breaking down. Hailey’s family is forever in fear of letting her travel too far; dreading that the van will stop working and their daughter will end up stranded.
The contribution from March of Dimes Canada’s funding will help the family acquire the necessary modifications to a more reliable van and Hailey can once again participate in the sports and activities she loves, and her family will have peace-of-mind that Hailey is safer.
All the best to Hailey and her family!
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| Keepin' it cool with these hot events... |
Rock for Dimes Calgary
 Date: February 7, 2015
Winner: The Bitchoo Men
Host: Tim Morgan
Judges: Kent Hehr, MLA, Lawyer and Musician Glenn Solomon, Consultant and Musician Marv Matthews, music therapist Shannon Robinson, Calgary Sun Writer Gerry Krochak and actor Yan Joseph.
Total Raised by the event: Close to $40,000
Proceeds funded: March of Dimes Canada has been able to expand its programs offered to Albertans living with disabilities.
Rock for Dimes Vancouver
 Date: February 26, 2015
Winner: Deiter Dives for Donuts
Host: Kieran Wilkie, from 96.9 Jack FM
Judges: Odds drummer Pat Steward, Dave Genn of 54-40, music therapist Sheila Lee, and actor Adrian Holmes
Special Guests: Craig Northey of the Odds, Gary Nylund and Bret ‘Hitman’ Hart, spokesperson for March of Dimes’ Stroke Recovery Canada® program
Total Raised by the event: $14,000
Proceeds funded: March of Dimes Canada’s programs for children and adults with disabilities
Rock for Dimes Winnipeg
 Date: March 6, 2015
Winner: 5 Shades of Grey
Top Fundraiser: Frostbite
Host: Howard Mandsheim of 92 CITI FM
Judges: Musician and producer Chris Burke-Gaffney, musician Mark Reeves, music therapist Katy Jacobs, and Movement Centre of Manitoba conductor Chris Martin
Total Raised by the event: $8,500
Proceeds funded: Winnipeg residents living with disabilities and the Movement Centre of Manitoba
Rock for Dimes Saskatoon
 Date: March 7, 2015
Winner: The Reckless Famous
Top Fundraiser: Tiger Lilly and The Exhiles
Host: Dennis Ullman
Judges: Music Therapists Carmen Day and Lisa Timmermans
Special Guests: Cydnie
Total Raised by the event: $3,500
Proceeds funded: MODC Camp Initiatives/Programs
Rock for Dimes London
 Date: March 20, 2015
Winner: 7T8
Host: Kevin Bulmer
Judges: Music Therapist Elizabeth Mitchell, Darren Connolly, Mike Mulligan and Dan Wylie from Classic Rock, FREE 98-1
Special Guests: Musician Jeff Poolton
Total Raised by the event: $15,000
Proceeds funded: Children and adults with physical disabilities
Rock for Dimes Sarnia
 Date: March 28, 2015
Winner: Power House
Top Fundraiser: Dressed to Kill
Host: Max Major from Blackburn Radio
Judges: Musician Dave Ashdown, April Nelmes, and musician Jeff Poolton
Special Guests: Jeff Poolton
Total Raised by the event: $3,500
Proceeds funded: March of Dimes Canada's programs and services for children and adults with disabilities
Rock for Dimes Toronto
 Date: May 8, 2015
Winner: JESTER
Host: Disability advocate Mike Mulligan stepped up to be host when Maie Pauts of Boom 97.3 took ill
Judges: Daryn Barry, co-owner of the Orange Lounge, music therapist Erin Lindan, and Tyler Tasson of SRO/Anthem
Special Guests: Two long-term participants of the program, Andrea Luciani and Paul Manieri who gave a moving speech of how the program has transformed their lives
Total Raised by the event: Over $15,000
Proceeds funded: March of Dimes Canada’s Conductive Education® program
Rock for Dimes Windsor
 Date: May 29, 2015
Winner: Atmora
Top Fundraiser: Atmora
Host: J Stevens – Cool FM
Judges: Tim Trombley from Caesars Windsor, Candice Dennis from Cool FM, Eric Bonnici from Eyes on Windsor and musician Jeff Burrows of The Tea Party
Total Raised by the event: $3,500
Proceeds funded: March of Dimes Canada Programs and Services – including Assistive Devices and Conductive Education
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| Thanks, you Rock! |
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What would a national event be without a national spokesperson – and what a spokesperson we have! Thanks to Bret “Hitman” Hart, champion wrestler and stroke survivor for helping make the Rock for Dimes the success it is today. To get more on Bret’s incredible story go to:
www.marchofdimes.ca
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