Gertrudes Remember Parham Tragedy with Video and Charity Single

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Canadian folk band The Gertrudes has released a new single, Parham, with all proceeds going towards the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA). The single can be purchased on the group’s Bandcamp page for $1, but those that can afford to pay more are able and encouraged to do so. The song is also available for streaming on Apple Music and Spotify.

The song was written in commemoration of the June 7, 2020 events that took place in the town of Parham, Ont. On that day, a gunman opened fire and injured one person, and also burned down the town’s historic St. James Anglican church. The perpetrator was subsequently charged with two counts of arson, and two counts of attempted murder. Parham is located about an hour north of Kingston, the city The Gertrudes call home.

“CMHA is grateful for The Gertrudes’ commitment to supporting community mental health programs and services so we can be there when and where people need us,” Margaret Eaton, national CEO of the CMHA said in a press release. “These are times of increased anxiety, stress and isolation for all people in Canada, but we will get through this.”

The CMHA provides services to over 1.3 million Canadians and is powered by 5000 employees alongside 11,000 volunteers. According to the organization’s website, its mission is to facilitate “access to the resources people require to maintain and improve mental health and community integration, build resilience, and support recovery from mental illness.”

– Continue reading this Mason Bugaresti feature on the Samaritanmag website.