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Dust off your cowboy boots and grab your most comfortable flannel shirt — The Pointe-Claire Citizens’ Association (PCCA) will be holding its 2nd annual Evening of Caring fundraiser on Saturday, May 23, 2026.

Macallans Pub will be the site of this hoedown, promising a lively, country-themed evening featuring live music from The Coyote River Band, with all proceeds from the event going to Ricochet (Hébergement/Homes) and West Island Mission, two organizations dedicated to helping vulnerable residents in the West Island. A food drive will also be held on-site, collecting non-perishable items for those in need.

Ricochet is the only resource in the West Island for individuals experiencing homelessness; the organization supports people in their transition to permanent housing and provides transportation services to those in need. West Island Mission offers well-balanced, high-quality food assistance to those struggling with food insecurity in the West Island.

Following the success of last year’s event — which raised $1,800 along with a generous amount of food donations — the PCCA hopes to surpass that total in 2026 with an even larger turnout. Association President Barry Christensen emphasized the importance of community support.

“We need to step up and help,” Christensen said. “The people who rely on Ricochet and West Island Mission aren’t strangers — they are members of our community who have fallen on hard times and need our support.”

Helping the less fortunate is required year-round, and while winter is probably the most successful time for donations, people still need food, shelter, and clothing even in the summer months. This is why the Pointe-Claire Citizens’ Association is stepping up to help.

Commending all the people who support worthy causes during the holiday season, the PCCA president lamented the fact that generosity tends to diminish with the arrival of warmer weather. “I find it sad and frustrating that donations drop to such low levels in the off-season that charity shelves run bare. We can do better!”

In trying to help, Christensen reached out to his friend and former classmate, Andy Blincoe, founder of The Coyote River Band and a veteran of Montreal’s music scene for more than three decades. Recognizing the untapped audience for country music, the two men hope that West Islanders will come out in droves to support two worthy causes while enjoying a lively night of music and dancing.

Blincoe heads up The Coyote River Band as lead vocalist, also playing guitar and harmonica. He will be joined onstage by drummer and vocalist Mark Higden; baritone Tony Capozzi on guitar and mandolin; bassist and veteran multi-instrumentalist Ronald Arsenault; Liam Melanson on keyboard, who, according to Blincoe, “brings that fiddle, honky-tonk sound that makes ‘new country’ country”; Dylan Julius-Quirk with his ability to freestyle on lead guitar; and Carmela Giampaolo and Nathalie Dauphin, whose superb vocals and 30 years of harmony guide the band’s direction.

Together, the band aims to present the very best in country, new country, and country rock with a range of vocals unmatched in town. Come on out and experience a toe-tapping, sing-along, get-out-of-your-seat, and hit-the-floor-dancing evening that will help to support two great causes while enjoying a rocking night of country music.

Come join the Pointe-Claire Citizens’ Association for its annual Evening of Caring event at Macallans Pub on May 23rd at 7:00 p.m., 2362 Hymus Blvd., in Dorval. Tickets for the event are $30 and will be available both online and at the door. Non-perishable food items will be collected on-site.

Volunteers are needed during the night of the event to sell tickets at the door, help with the 50/50 draw, and collect food donations. If you would like to become involved, please email acpc.pcca@gmail.com.