A Winnipeg record label is doing what it can to raise funds for a local shelter.

Just in time for Christmas, Head in the Sand Records is selling a special bundle of eight albums for $50, with all proceeds going to Osborne House, a women and children’s shelter which provides a safe haven for individuals fleeing domestic violence. All of the artists involved in the project are part of Head in the Sand’s stable of acts.

Mike Petkau Falk, president of the Osborne Village-based company, said the decision to undertake the fundraiser was twofold.

In March, the city denied an appeal from Osborne House for $450,000 in emergency funding and the shelter was facing financial hardship.

"When I heard they had been denied a sizeable chunk of funding… that gave me cause for concern," he said.

Falk said his concern was amplified because of his personal connection to the shelter.
"I know some people who’ve gone through Osborne House, and know it’s a hard time. I’ve seen what domestic violence can do to a family, and children," he said.

In October, Falk approached several artists on his label about fundraising for the shelter.
He gave the artists the option of donating a portion of the profits to the shelter, and receiving the rest for themselves, or donating all of the proceeds to the shelter. Falk said each artist agreed to donate all of the proceeds to Osborne House.

"It was unanimous and everyone was excited to do it, which was great," Falk said.

The eight CD bundle includes Royal Canoe’s, Co-Op Mode, Rococode’s Guns, Sex & Glory, Les Jupes, Modern Myths, Demetra’s Lone Migration, Tom Keenan’s Romantic Fitness, Record of the Week Club, Mike Petaku’s Don’t Say a Word, and the Liptonians self-titled album.

"You’re not going to get a better deal than this," he said.

So far, sales of the bundle have been strong, Falk said.

"We’ve had lots of people really excited about it," he said.

"A few people who already purchased a bunch of the CDs have (made the $50 donation anyways)."

The campaign will continue until Dec. 31. Falk said it isn’t a strict deadline and people still interested in purchasing the CDs can do so after that date.

Falk said anyone purchasing the bundle on Dec. 21 or 22 will receive their order prior to Christmas.

"If any orders come in (on these dates), we’ll just drive them to people," he said.

The CD bundle can be purchased online at headinthesand.ca.

danielle.finch@canstarnews.com