Concert raises thousands for Ross family

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This article was published 08/07/2022 (1538 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A group of local musicians has raised more than $12,400 in support of the family of Jordan Ross.

The Jam 4 Jordan concert fundraiser featured local bands Misty Street, Vertigo, Daisy Chain, Gear Machine, 18 Rabbit and Cows on a Bus performing at The 40 Thursday evening. Erin McLennan of the band Daisy Chain spearheaded the organization of the event.

McLennan and her fellow organizers were overwhelmed by the outpouring of support Jam 4 Jordan received.

“It became almost a full-time job,” McLennan said. “It just took on a life of its own, it just became so huge. It’s something I wasn’t expecting. I don’t think any of us were.”

The event raised more than $12,400 with all funds going to Ross’ family.

Ross, the owner of Grand Valley Campground, was last seen leaving his home on the morning of June 17. The Brandon Sun reported Ross’ body was found June 30 in the Assiniboine River near Dinsdale Park.

The tragic conclusion to the story did not affect the planning of the event, McLennan said, because organizers were driven to offer whatever support was possible to the family.

“It was not the outcome we have hoped for, of course, but we wanted to go ahead with the original plan and raise money for this family,” McLennan said. “I can’t imagine how this has impacted them and the financial burden that this has caused for them.”

It was humbling to be part of the grassroots event because she saw firsthand Brandonite’s commitment to helping a family in need, she said. Sponsors and Brandonites rallied together on behalf of the family, donating thousands of dollars in items for the fundraiser raffle, she said.

“It’s pretty amazing and it tells me that Jordan was very well-loved in this community and very respected,” McLennan said.

While, she did not know Ross personally, McLennan has played on stage with his brother, Mark Ross, who briefly appeared on stage with Daisy Chain during Jam 4 Jordan.

She appreciates how the fundraiser was able to showcase how important Jordan Ross was to the community.

“Music is something that means a lot to a lot of people, and it’s something that we are able to do for the family … the mood is very upbeat, there’s people laughing and sharing stories,” McLennan said. “I think the overall message is that in times of tragedy, people come together and hold each other up. We support one another.”

Planning Jam 4 Jordan was a mixture of emotions, said co-organizer Mariah Phillips, of Misty Streets.

Organizers were stunned at the generosity shown by the community, but also heartbroken after Ross’ body was found.

“It’s very devastating that it was not a happy ending, but it was really encouraging to see Brandon come together for this family,” Phillips said.

“It’s a combination of people really celebrating Jordan’s life and there’s the sadness that goes with that.”

Mark Ross played in Misty Streets for many years and remains a close friend from a wonderful family, she said. She was compelled to do something to help alleviate the burden and loss they are experiencing with music.

She was happy they were able to host the fundraiser that the community rallied behind. Jam 4 Jordan served as an opportunity to come together over music while sharing stories and memories of Jordan Ross.

“Sometimes it’s easy to get really cynical in the world, there’s been lots of stress with the pandemic and you see so many people not being kind to each other. Seeing how much people cared about Jordan, really it shows what kind of a person Jordan was,” Phillips said.

“We all need to be there for each other — love really brings everyone together and it’s really nice … everybody came together.”

Musician Anastasia Jane appeared on stage with Misty Streets and helped co-organize the event.

The support and kindness from the community often left her in tears in the leadup to Jam 4 Jordan. Jane wanted to help with the fundraiser because she has been friends with Mark Ross for many years and had met Jordan Ross a handful of times.

She was often blown away by the outpouring of support from Brandonites and their desire and commitment to help the Ross family in whatever way possible.

“I feel like I’ve gotten to know Jordan more from the gift collection,” Jane said.

“When I would show up at the door, folks were telling me their personal stories of Jordan and what he and the Ross family did for the community. I had to leave a few times in tears just with how many lives he had touched and really how the community banded together.”

It was incredibly humbling to be a part of Jam 4 Jordan, Jane said, because she felt almost like an archivist collecting incredible stories that capture the generosity and compassion of the Ross family and the Brandon community as a whole.

“We’re celebrating his life and people are coming together and doing whatever they can. That embodies Brandon to me,” Jane said.

“I think it’s sending him off in the most amazing way they can …. This is in honour of Jordan, but also is a reflection of what Brandon is as a community.”

» ckemp@brandonsun.com, with files from The Brandon Sun

» Twitter: @The_ChelseaKemp