Maura Whitman from the class of 2019 hosted a benefit concert to support two worthy causes in Halifax. Maura received a Gordon Stirrett Wealth Management Grant, and used it to put on a concert in the Multipurpose Room on March 29.
She raised $700 each for the Halifax Ovarian Cancer Chapter and the local chapter of the Children’s Wish Foundation.
"I'm really looking forward to giving back through my music by donating the proceeds from the concert to two charities that I have been moved by,” she said. She gave to the Ovarian Cancer Chapter because of her volunteer work with the organization. “This year I performed during the welcoming reception for the Lady Ball event, later on stage with Breagh Mackinnon of Port Cities, where we sang a duet as the survivors walked the runway, and it was quite an emotional experience for sure.”
Her original song, ‘Survivors’ was used in a promotional video for this year’s Lady Ball event.
When Maura opened for Serena Ryder a Halifax MIX 96.5-sponsored event, she connected with the station and learned of 17-year-old Mikayla Downey.
“She had a rare form of Ovarian Cancer and received a puppy named Echo from Children’s Wish. I too, share a love of dogs and I was deeply moved when I watched Mikayla first unite with her beloved Boston Terrier. I was saddened that she succumbed to this awful disease but happy for the family that they have Echo to help them through this very difficult time."
The $1,400 raised at the concert was split evenly between the two foundations. Everyone at Grammar is so proud of Maura's selfless work.