Bedford Jam raises money for Camp Trillium

Jeff Green | Sep 20, 2019

At first glance, it seemed like a regular Sunday Bedford Jam.

Judy Murphy was emceeing and Roy Shepherd was working the sound board. There was a lineup of performers awaiting their turn, couples dancing to the old tunes and the girls in the kitchen busily doing what they always do.

But this particular Sunday was a little different.

For awhile now, the Parham Oddfellows and Rebekahs have been part of their organizations’ efforts on behalf of Camp Trillium, specifically OuR Island on West Lake in Prince Edward County, which offers year-round recreational experiences to bring children with cancer and their families together, in an environment that normalizes relationships and experiences, helping them in the healing process and enhancing their quality of life.

Part of their fundraising process has been open mikes at the Oddfellows Lodge in Parham, which have been held to varying rates of success.

But this time, they hooked up with the Bedford Jam folks and managed to come out of it with a cheque for $300 and $610 in donations (which netted one a ticket for one of two Joe Freeman donated paintings).

“We’re very proud of our association with Camp Trillium,” said Rebekah Vi Anderson, who along with husband John and Joe and Rose LaPointe, has been at the forefront of fundraising efforts for The Island, most notably paying off the mortgage. “Ordinarily, Parham Lodge does the fundraisers but this is a lot bigger and better.

“We’ve known Joan and Roy (Shepherd) a long time and this event just kind of morphed out.”

And, the day also featured several guest performers including fiddle whiz Jessica Weddon, Flinton songbird Dallas Daisy Arney and Kingston’s Courtney Kane.

The tickets for the paintings were pulled out of a hat by Kylie Babcock.

“Kylie was with us eight years ago when she and her family were battling cancer,” said Joan Shepherd, one of the organizers.

Babcock herself had been scheduled to go to Camp Trillium but her cancer treatment precluded her trip at that time.