Local musician completes ‘Let’s Walk’ journey for mental health

He says $960 was also raised for CMHA in Red Deer, almost hitting the $1,000 goal he set out at the start of his initiative which saw him joined by supporters for a one-hour walk each day for 30 days from September 4 – October 4.

“We’re going to be back next year and crush that number,” exclaims Langlois. “It’s going to the Canadian Mental Health Association – Central Alberta District and all of their incredible programming and help and support that they offer.”

He estimates about 30 people joined him on his walks throughout the course of the month.

“For the people that joined me, I hope they just know that they don’t walk alone,” states Langlois. “There are people that are more than happy and willing to hear their story and to help when they can. I walked with a lot of people who are also in support positions and they just reiterate that you don’t have to walk alone.”

Langlois admits from his own personal experience that sometimes you feel like you do walk alone and have to carry that by yourself but points out that’s simply not the case, adding there are people and services available to help.

“We will be returning in 2019,” he says. “We’re going to be doing it all again and build on something that I believe will make a difference and did make a difference and will continue to make a difference.”

According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, statistics show in any given year, one in five people in Canada will personally experience a mental health problem or illness.

Langlois’s says his ‘Let’s Walk’ journey was sparked by his involvement in Project Wild, a country music artist development program funded by Wild 95.3 radio in Calgary — owned by the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group which currently has a seven-year commitment of $4.9 million to develop artists and industry in Alberta.

“One of the challenges they put out to the artists is to create and implement a fundraising event that means something to you,” explains Langlois, formerly of The Boom Chucka Boys. “It’s funny because I’ve been wanting to do this for years but I always kind of felt like maybe my platform is not big enough or whatever, theres lots of excuses a guy can make. So it was the Project Wild challenge that was the spark that needed to get me going.”

Langlois hopes to finish in the top three to access the larger grant money available through Project Wild.

“I’m hoping to have the chance to make the record of my dreams,” he admits. “Also to keep putting out some music that hopefully will mean something to people.”

Langlois’ final showcase performance as part of Project Wild will be at Knoxville’s in Calgary October 25.

To support him through online voting, Langlois encourages you to follow him on all of his social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Online voting begins October 26 and runs to November 2.

The Top 3 artists will be announced on air at the WILD 953 (or other location to be determined by WILD 95.3) on Thursday, November 8, 2018.
The Top 3 artists will be awarded support in the following amount:

First Place $100,953.00

Second Place $75,000.00

Third Place $50,000.00

The Awards night (Finale) will be held on Saturday November 24, 20178 at Knoxville’s in Calgary AB, with the Top 3 artists to be showcased at the event.

(NOTE: rdnewsNOW is also owned by the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group)

by Sheldon Spackman

Local musician completes ‘Let’s Walk’ journey for mental health

What's Trending