Some Hidden Heroes aren’t so hidden. Joelle Rabu and Bill Hicks are two of those people. Both are well known in the entertainment community on Vancouver Island and beyond but quietly, without fanfare and without recompense, they do much to make our community a better place to live.

I thought of these two a couple of weeks ago after attending the fourth annual, It Only Takes a Moment concert in support of the Open Minds Open Windows Society, a show they have produced from the beginning.

In case you don’t know about the society, it was founded by former Hidden Hero, Ron Plecas in 2002. Its goal is, “To reduce the stigma and prejudice surrounding people with mental health issues thereby permitting these people to integrate successfully into society enhancing the quality of life for everyone.”

Ron had seen Joelle perform many times and although they had never met, he got her number and called to ask if she would meet him to talk about an idea he had to form a society in support of people with mental challenges.

They met at a downtown coffee shop and as Joelle says, it only took a moment to convince her to become involved.

Ron, who never thinks small, first had a vision to create an event where people would join hands in a show of support for those with mental illness. He saw this chain stretching coast to coast!

Joelle suggested that they start by working to create more awareness in the Mid Island Region beginning with an annual concert at the Port Theatre. She volunteered to write and coordinate the show.

As she was beginning to outline the first concert, she was introduced to Bill Hicks, a well known drummer with huge connections in the music business. Bill also sits on the OMOW board representing Bill’s Place, four group homes for people with brain injury.

I’ll never forget that first show. I bought a ticket because I wanted to support the society and also because Bill and Joelle are friends of mine. I really didn’t expect a great show – Boy was I wrong.

It was the highlight of the year for me as has each concert since then. I have laughed, cried, stomped my feet, clapped and cheered until my voice is hoarse and my hands are raw.

Joelle writes the script that ties the entertainment together while subtly teaching the audience about many of the challenges faced by the mentally ill. Bill helps and gets some amazing musicians to volunteer. What a team!

This year’s show focused on local youth with support from pros like Tina Jones, the Rubber Soul Band, Marty Shepard,Douglas Dodd, Jerry Paquette and Sarah Wood.

The youth band that backed all singers ranged in age from 17 to 19 and included: Nico Rhodes, Ben Arscott, Adam Cormier, and Darin Wiebe – Nico also acted as music director and wrote over 200 charts as well as directing the talent.

Seventeen year old Danielle Peacock from NDSS appeared for the first time on a big stage and wowed the crowd as did fifteen year old Alyse Paquette and Lisa Innes. Fourteen year old Haley Breedlove from Qualicum also left them cheering.

The show was rounded out by the VIBE hip hop dancers; twenty year old alto sax player, Graham Shonwise accompanied by James Darling and Marshall Boucher; and seventeen year old mime artist, Kemal Holubeshen. A Celebration of our Youth Performance Piece was written and performed by Andra Nadeau and Julie Hewitt and their fellow Interact Club members.

As usual the Beautiful Minds Choir ended this year’s concert and reinforced the purpose of the whole show when they sang Bridge over Troubled Water, Lean on Me and We are Family under the direction of Ken Ermter.

Congrats again to Joelle Rabu and Bill Hicks.