Thursday, December 17, 2015

Celebrate the Season


Perhaps best known as one of the founding members of Great Big Sea, Séan McCann has most recently been touring the country as a solo artist, spreading a message of peace, love, and happiness through his music. He is an amazing musician, a creative force, and an alluring combination of talent and story. Séan has been through a lot in his life, and he has been open about his struggles. He holds a place in the heart of many Newfoundlanders, as he is one of our own. He is our son, our brother, our childhood friend. Both through his music and telling his story onstage, Séan is not only continuing his own journey but also striving to impact the lives of others.

Séan has been a strong supporter of Easter Seals for the past several years, after having been invited to work with some of the Music Therapy students. He said in a recent interview for The Telegram, “I was blown away. They melted my heart, and it needed to be melted at that moment. They have really had an effect on the decisions I have made ever since. They moved me in a really deep way.

I first met Séan last year at a fundraiser for Drop Zone  - you can read about that HERE.

Though Séan has since left Newfoundland and moved with his family to Ontario, he was back in town this week for the Easter Seals 'Celebrate the Season with Séan McCann' fundraising gala, where he shared the stage with some eager Easter Seals participants.

Funds raised from the luncheon will go to support the many programs offered by Easter Seals NL, including wheelchair basketball, sledge hockey and music therapy. Brennen was invited to be a guest of the event, and we were excited to join members of the community in a wonderful celebration of music and song.


Ashley Martin-Hanlon talked a little about her journey and what Easter Seals has done for her, and she joined Séan in singing 'A Life That's Good', from the series 'Nashville'. It was the perfect song for the occasion, told from the point of view of a person who is hoping to make the right choices in life and to be blessed with good things along the way -

"Sometimes I'm hard on me,
when dreams don't come easy
I wanna look back and say I did all that I could.
At the end of the day
Lord I pray I have a life that's good."

The show was intimate and interactive, with the goal to get everyone singing. Eleven year old, Anna Santos delivered a heartwarming rendition of 'Little Drummer Boy', and then treated us all to a beautiful song that she wrote herself. Anna is an absolute superstar, there is no question.


Séan means it when he says that connecting with Easter Seals changed his life. I believe him when he says that this show is the one he looks forward to the most all year. He talks about how he has been touched by the friends he's made at Easter Seals, and he delivers his message as soulfully as he sings his songs.

He did a beautiful version of 'This Life is an Ocean of Love' - a single from his new album, aptly titled, 'You Know I Love You'. The lyrics are simple and true. "This Life is an ocean of love. Let every heart rise above."

Séan, you filled our hearts with your kindness and compassion. We can't thank you enough for your support and dedication to an organization that helps to enrich the lives of so many people. Easter Seals truly is an organization that is worthy of praise and celebration, and we were happy to be able to celebrate with you today!



Merry Christmas Everyone!

A child is born, forever. 
A child is born, for everyone.
Lift up your hearts and hear his laughter
A new day has begun.

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