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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Fundraiser battles drug abuse

Bands battle it out in event in memory of slain youth

By: Jennifer Pawluk

30/11/2009 1:00 AM | Comments: 1

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T.J. Wiebe.

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Sacred Iron Crypt, made up of Dan Waycik, Brendan Murphy and Myles Mayo Tarvis, belts it out at Battle of the Bands Sunday in memory of T.J. Wiebe (inset). (BORIS MINKEVICH / WINNIPEG FREE)

They've called it the Battle of the Bands but it was inspired by a battle of will -- the will to help young Manitobans make smart life choices.

Seven bands representing six Winnipeg high schools took centre stage at the Garrick Centre Sunday evening as part of an awareness campaign organized by TJ's Gift Foundation about teen drug use.

The charitable foundation was created in memory of twenty-year-old T.J. Wiebe by family and friends shortly after his death in January 2003. T.J. sold drugs and was killed by drug dealers. His father, Floyd Wiebe, said the charity was created in lieu of flowers at his funeral as an educational platform to help young people in Manitoba make good decisions.

Students involved in the foundation's programs must take one of two written oaths -- to stay away from drugs, or if someone has already used drugs, to refrain from using them again.

"We're hoping that if kids put their signatures on something, they'll buy in," said Wiebe.

The foundation has raised almost $150,000 at various galas over the past three years. The importance of Battle of the Bands isn't its fundraising capabilities, but its opportunity for high school students to learn more about the foundation and its programs, said Wiebe.

Between 200 and 300 people were expected at the Garrick to see performances by Sacred Iron Crypt, Random Heroes, Coalition, Victor Johnson, SOMA, Blame the Television and Black Jacket Armada.

jennifer.pawluk@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition November 30, 2009 B3

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1 Comments

Posted by: Mom3Boys

November 30, 2009 at 4:13 PM

Events such as this should get as much media attention and publicity as possible, it is the hope that so many of these youths need in order to be able to make better life decisions. It is commendable that the tragic death of the Wiebe's son was not in vain. The seeds that TJ's Gift Foundation is planting today will reap many benefits in years to come. I love hearing stories like this!!!