MOOSE JAW — Board members from River Street Promotions (RSP) joined sponsors and officials from both school divisions at the Moose Jaw Co-op Agro Centre to present a donation of over $28,000 benefitting students in the Prairie South and Holy Trinity Catholic School Divisions on Feb. 10.
Proceeds were raised during the annual “A Night in Nashville” writer’s round featuring the incredible talents of Damhnait Doyle, Jeff Cohen, and Phil Barton, with Joel Stewart as the returning host back on Dec. 14.
“Today we announced that we raised $28,900 to the Youth Mental Wellness Fund (used for both) school divisions,” said Jared Mathieson, co-founder of and one of the primary organizers for RSP. “These funds raised were from… when we did ‘A Night in Nashville,’ and we also put on a high school show for 800 kids.
“We’re very proud of that night…,” he added.
To date, RSP has raised and donated over half a million dollars to the Youth Mental Wellness Fund and to Ross Wells Park, the hosting venue for its annual Homestand fundraiser concert.
Mathieson estimated that the yearly Nashville-themed fundraisers have brought in around $100,000 of the half-million-dollar total, with the difference made up by Homestand.
Mathieson was recently named Citizen of the Year at the Moose Jaw & District Chamber of Commerce awards night in January, thereby earning his first win after five nominations for his ongoing work in the community — this being one of those affiliated projects.
The Youth Mental Wellness Fund provides grants that schools from both divisions can access to support the well-being of students. Funding can be used for mental health speakers, yoga instructors, and wellness workshops, as well as for training, resources, and to host special events like youth conferences and mental health-themed musical performances. Schools have used these funds for projects ranging from stress management lessons to safe, social spaces that encourage in-person connectivity.
“Again, all these events take (the work and dedication of) so many community members, so we’re pretty proud of it,” Mathieson shared. “(I would like to) thank everyone for coming to the Nashville shows, and stay tuned for the (next) Homestand announcement coming up in March.”
The announcement coincided with the launch of “Retro Roots,” a Moose Jaw Co-op initiative designed to provide ongoing support for the RSP Youth Mental Wellness Fund. Through Retro Roots, $5 from the sale of each vintage Co-op retro ball cap sold at the Co-op Agro will be donated to RSP to sustain youth mental health initiatives year-round.
The dual announcement was fitting as the Moose Jaw Co-op, alongside the Co-op Ethanol Complex, was the title sponsor for A Night in Nashville.
“I want to say thank you to Jared (Mathieson) and the River Street (Promotions) crew for all of your work and your dedication to our community and for making (this) happen,” said Michaela Turner, the community and employee engagement manager for the Moose Jaw Co-op.
“A Night in Nashville was another amazing community event that we are so proud to be part of,” she said. “When you see the kids… benefit from (the fund), that is the most rewarding part. So, thank you for all the work that you guys do.”
To learn more about the work done by River Street Promotions visit RiverStreetPromotions.com or ‘River Street Promotions’ on Facebook.
You can purchase a retro Co-op ball cap to further support youth mental health while supplies last at the Co-op Agro Centre, located at 1625 Caribou Street West.
