CHRISTMAS CHEER FUND: SINGER/SONGWRITER CASEY STONE HAS A PERSONAL CONNECTION TO THE CAUSE

Casey Stone likely won’t be playing “Bruise Me,” a highly personal song she wrote about a troubled relationship, when she performs during a Christmas Cheer fundraising event Wednesday at Bonzzini’s Brew Pub.

“It’s a very powerful song but it also makes people uncomfortable,” says Stone. “Where am I gonna perform this song? We’re in the middle of a bar, we’re having fun, and now let me tell you about one of the worst nights of my life.”

The song may actually be too appropriate for the event, which is being arranged by the Regina Howlers Rugby Club to benefit the Regina Leader-Post’s Christmas Cheer Fund. All proceeds from the Cheer Fund are divided among four local women’s shelters — Regina Transition House, Isabel Johnson Shelter, SOFIA House and WISH Safe House.

“It is a cause that’s very close to my heart,” says Stone. “I’ve had my own challenges in relationships.

“I have never had to go to a shelter, but I will say I was very fortunate that I had family and friends I could go to. And also, I had dogs. At the end of the day, women and children are more important than a dog, as much as I love dogs … My sister adopted my two dogs while I was trying to get out of a relationship, so I had a support system in place. A lot of people don’t.”

Although a future facility could include spaces for pets, the current shelters are already overflowing with women and children looking to escape relationships threatened by domestic violence.

The Regina YWCA, which runs the Isabel Johnson Shelter and other facilities within the city, turned away 3,000 women and children last year while trying to find room for the victims whenever possible.

Providing safe spaces is a cause the Leader-Post has been supporting with its Christmas Cheer Fund for 32 years. It’s why Karl Fix, who oversees an annual Howlers fundraiser, has put together a musical event for Wednesday, Dec. 17 at Bonzzini’s (4634 Albert St.).

The event runs from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., with all donations going to the Cheer Fund. Donations are tax deductible and should mention “Howlers Bonzos Xmas Fundraiser” in the information box.

Anyone donating more than $250 can request a tour of the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ facilities at Mosaic Stadium, courtesy of Craig Reynolds, president and CEO of the 2025 Grey Cup champions. Add “Mosaic” in the information box. A tour date will be determined after the holidays.

Other performers include guitarist Jack Semple, country music artist Brian Sklar and his band, country roots singer JJ Voss and Elvis tribute artist Jamie Gass.

Used to performing with a band or guitar player, keyboard-playing Stone is planning a solo show that’s slated for 4:25 p.m.

“I started in country when I was very young, but I really wanted to do rock ‘n’ roll, so I was doing that in my 20s,” says Stone, who’s from the Swift Current area. “I’ve just been influenced by the feel and emotion of music and have never been glued to one particular genre.

“Right now I’m building a new show that I hope to have working with a full band effect in 2026, calling it the ‘Musical education of a Saskatchewan farm girl’ and go through my influences … from Heart to CCR (Creedence Clearwater Revival) to Billie Eilish to Chappell Roan.”

Stone promises to deliver a diverse set with a few “signature songs that people connect with me” and some Christmas carols without forgetting the cause.

“I came across this quote that I looked up,” says Stone. “It’s apparently from Margaret Atwood. It says men worry that women will laugh at them, but women worry that men will kill them.

“It’s a dramatic statement, very powerful and it goes both ways. Men also suffer emotional and physical abuse, but women live a different way. I don’t know how to change society and there are lots of good men who do these bad things, you know? But when it’s an intimate relationship it’s a different story.”

Thank you to our recent donors:

Kerri Davidson (In memory of Bryon Collinson) $100

Bev Zizzy and Stan Mustatia $100

Will Chabun and family $250

Dolores Smycniuk $200

Karen Hack $100

Thomas and Helen Griffin (To also help the children and pets that need the safety and security too) $50

Gesa Arscott (In memory of Bob Arscott) $100

Loretta Hawkes $300

Raymond Finlay and Frankie Jordan (In memory of Dave & Doreen Heron) $100

Jan Turner $100

SaskPower Superannuates Christmas Luncheon $766

Lionel Jones $800

Rosalie Dunitz $100

Dolores Dreher (In Memory of sister Fran & Angie) $50

Robert Donald (In memory of Kathy Donald) $150

Merle Tindall $50

Harshad and Jayshree Patel $100

John Preikschat (In memory of Oscar Preikschat) $40

Mervyn and Gloria Lang (In honour of all teachers) $100

Noreen Leitner (In memory of Olive White) $100

George Rosenau (In memory of Lynne) $100

Honey Deglau $25

Marie Bens $100

Hazel Memory $500

Daniel and Angelina Beveridge $410

Alanna Manz (In memory of Al Manz) $25

Darla Hunter and Chuck Wilson $500

Dean and Lynn Ast $100

Sam and Erika Berg $100

Wayne McElree (In memory of Wendy P. Davis) $100

Jane and Jim Park $100

Marjorie Strandlund $50

Wanda Walter $200

Elaine Arnusch (In memory of my brother, Gary Arnusch) $100

Susan Brown (In memory of my Dad, Sigfried Walter) $25

Ken Linnen $300

Sherrin Harvey $100

Lori Allard $400

Debbie Hunt $100

Bob and Merrill (In memory of Verne Ries) $300

Debbie and Paul McLellan (Campell Class of ’74) $500

David Powell (In memory of Barbara Powell) $130

Gail McArthur Posehn (Campbell Class of ’74) $100

Donna and Terry Kellsey $200

Dianne Stroh (In memory of Len Stroh) $100

Lorna Smith (In memory of my Mom, Sandra Brooks) $100

Michael Lamborn (Campbell Class of ’74) $500

Tony and Patti Kuffner $200

Bruce and Dianne Mader $100

E and R Properties Ltd. $250

Richardson House Of Fixtures and Supplies Ltd. $250

Edwin Luther $300

Allan and Enid Campbell $100

Resurrection CWL Council $200

Elaine Bennett Fox (In memory of Family – Lyle Bennett and Nola Shatkowski) $200

Toshiji and Linda Shinmura $200

Marian Grande Social Fund $100

Anne Stefanowski (In loving memory of son, Cory Stefanowski) $50

3-D Petroleums Ltd. (In memory of Dylon Piper) $25,000

Gary Kadin $50

Adrian Yaworski $100

Anonymous (In memory of Jack & Em Wiens and Howard & Ruth Machin) $1,000

Anonymous (In honour of Jon Nicoll) $100

Anonymous $3,880

GRAND TOTAL : $98,146

We kindly request that if you are able to give, consider making your donation online. It’s quick, easy and secure.

Simply visit leaderpost.com/cheerfund and click on the DONATE HERE button. You’ll be directed to a safe and secure payment platform managed by the South Saskatchewan Community Foundation, where you can enter donation details and payment method. Your generous contribution will be processed right away, ensuring it reaches us without delay.

Alternatively, cheques can be dropped off at the South Saskatchewan Community Foundation (1911 Broad Street) during office hours (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). The front doors of the building are locked, so please call 306-751-4756 upon arrival and someone will meet you at the door.

We truly appreciate your continued support and thank you for helping us make a difference!

2025-12-13T13:27:23Z