The Moose Jaw International Medical Mission (MJIMM) has joined with a few other local businesses for an evening fundraiser full of art, treats, and music.
Painting for Patzun is a special event for the MJIMM, as it features local artist Laura Hamilton and her original painting depicting a woman that the MJIMM as able to help during a trip to Guatemala.
Rosa is Hamilton’s portrait of a woman of the same name, who lives in an impoverished village in Guatemala and takes care of her six brothers, her cousin, and her father after her mother passed away — and is just one of the many people that the MJIMM has helped during their trips.
One of the MJIMM stove and water teams provided Rosa and her family with a kit, giving them a stove to heat their home and cook on, and a water filter to ease their worries.
“That was a pretty life-changing experience for [Rosa and her family] and also for our team,” said Jackie Wilson, member of the MJIMM and a nurse from here in Moose Jaw. “They were so moved to be able to see how much of an impact they have.”
At Painting for Patzun, Hamilton will be giving a rare painting demonstration at 8 p.m. to show her support for the mission. She will also have reproduction prints of Rosa available for purchase, which she will also be willing to sign as well.
The evening will also feature live music from some local artists, and tasty treats made by Joya Johnston of Pure Joy Cupcakes to pair with mead tastings courtesy of the event’s host, Prairie Bee Meadery.
All the proceeds from Hamilton’s prints will go directly back to the MJIMM, who are collecting funds for their upcoming mission trip to Guatemala in February of 2020.
Wilson is extremely pleased to have so much local support for the mission fundraiser, as Johnston and Hamilton have both donated their products for the event, while Prairie Bee Meadery is graciously providing their space.
“It's kind of a whole collaboration of local people helping out for this fundraiser,” said Wilson. “It is pretty incredible to have the whole community coming together and supporting what we're trying to do in Guatemala.”
The group has about 35 volunteers signed up to go on the trip, and they have raised about half of their fundraising goal of $55,000 so far.
Painting for Patzun will take place on Nov. 19 at Prairie Bee Meadery, beginning at 7 p.m. Admission is $10, available by contacting Jackie Wilson at 1 (306) 313-0158 ahead of time, or at the door on the evening of the event. All proceeds will go towards the MJIMM’s trip.
