B.C. singer-songwriter and former New Hamburg resident to perform benefit concert for Wilmot & Wellesley Resource Centre

As part of a cross-country tour raising money for organizations that provide support for the unhoused and undernourished, B.C. singer-songwriter and former New Hamburg resident Keith “Papa” Thom will perform at St. George Anglican Church in New Hamburg with all proceeds going to support the Wilmot & Wellesley Resource Centre. Photo courtesy of Keith “Papa” Thom. Contributed photo

Galen Simmons, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Though he hasn’t lived in New Hamburg for 17 years, B.C. singer-songwriter Keith “Papa” Thom says when he reached out to the Wilmot & Wellesley Resource Centre to ask if he could perform in a benefit concert to support the organization as part of his cross-country tour, the staff remembered him immediately and agreed to take him up on the offer.

Over the past few weeks, Thom has logged more than 4,300 kilometres as he’s travelled from his current home in Peachland, B.C. – where he also serves as deputy mayor – to Ontario, stopping along the way to perform in concerts that raise money for organizations, charities and non-profits that serve the unhoused and undernourished.

“My next stop is Toronto and then I have to go to Ottawa to do a benefit for Homes For Heroes subsidized housing for our veterans,” Thom told the Gazette last week. “It’s kind of fun; I don’t make a darn cent, but man, I’m having a good time.

“ … From 2009-2014, I literally traversed the country in January, February and March cooking shepherd’s pie in homeless shelters, which was quite a thing. My wife, for some odd, peculiar reason, doesn’t want me to do anymore winters, so I thought this would be a good alternative. I’m not cooking shepherd’s pie this time, but I’m trying to raise money for lots of different charities that need the help.”

At 71, Thom recently released his first studio album, “Legacy,” filled with his original folk songs that span more than 50 years of songwriting, dating all the way back to 1973. Thom said he made the album as something to leave behind for his kids. Now, after taking the album overseas to Holland and Germany with great success, he has been performing from his new album, along with covers of some well-loved folk favourites, for audiences across the country as part of this tour.

Thom said the New Hamburg show came about because of his connection with the town and the Wilmot & Wellesley Resource Centre.

“I lived in New Hamburg 17 years ago, so it’s kind of my hometown,” he said. “It’s going to be really nice doing that benefit concert because there will be familiar faces in the audience for once. … I thought it would be nice because I saw what (the resource centre) did for the community, plus they have a foodbank, and it sort of fits all the criteria for what I would like to raise funds for. I know when I lived in New Hamburg, I saw the good work they did myself first hand, so that was kind of an encouragement to go back for them.”

The concert, which will comprise original and cover music as well as some good old-fashioned storytelling, will take place at St. George Anglican Church in New Hamburg from 3-5 p.m. Oct. 25. Admission is by donation and all proceeds, along with five dollars from every CD Thom sells, will go the Wilmot & Wellesley Resource Centre. The church will also provide drinks and refreshments.

For more information, visit www.papathom.com.