The musical group the Sun King Warriors collaborated with the Healing Patch Organization for a concert at JFK Auditorium on Nov. 7.
The Healing Patch Children’s Grief Program is an organization that offers support to children and young adults who are grieving the loss of loved ones. The Healing Patch has collaborated regularly with the Sun King Warriors for 14 years on various fundraising initiatives.
Associate Professor of Human Resources and MIS Kent Tonkin and Assistant Professor of Fine Arts Jim Donovan are both members of the Sun King Warriors.
“To me, there’s never been a more important charity,” said Tonkin, who has played a very active role with the Healing Patch for many years. “It is a very sacred cause to me.”
Donovan sees he and his fellow band members’ role as one that requires more than making music for fans.
“It is our responsibility to shine light on things that we believe are important,” said Donovan. “We are gifted a platform, and not everyone gets that.”
In addition to the concert benefiting the Healing Patch, the performance at JFK earlier this month was dedicated to former SFU student Kevon Walker, who died on campus on Nov. 4.
SFU student Adrianna Boldizar performed alongside the Sun King Warriors at the concert.
“Being able to bring some light back into SFU was really nice,” said Boldizar.
“Events like this are a part of the band’s mission – to do service and bring goodness through the music,” said Donovan.
