ABRAM-VILLAGE, P.E.I. — Over the years, Tracy Arsenault has contributed her time and energy to help students at École Évangéline. Now, in her time of need, the students are stepping up to give back.
In June 2020, the former student and bus driver was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. In response, the school’s art and culture class is recording a CD and hosting a concert to raise funds for her.
Briley Cameron, class member, said he’s “overwhelmed” to be part of the project, but looks forward to seeing all his hard work pay off.
Two of Tracy’s nephews, Gilbert and Dawson Arsenault, are also students in the class. Gilbert said he’s glad his classmates are doing their part to support her.
“It keeps her opportunities open, because she has the money to support her disability, her cancer,” said Gilbert. “It changes her life, but [we’re] trying to lessen the effects of it.”
Chuck Arsenault, co-ordinator of the project and music teacher at the school, said the arts and culture class does a big class project every year.
“With, of course, the restrictions of this year, it was like, well, what can we do?” he said. “Somebody said we should do a ‘CD’ as a little bit of a joke.”
Quickly, though, the idea for a CD grew beyond a joke and became a way to support someone who had always been there for them.
“With her going through a bit of a challenge,” said Chuck, “it was totally natural for us to come and figure out a way for the community … to help.”
As part of the school community, Tracy has done far more than just drive the bus.
Whenever students needed transport to an event, Tracy would take time out of her day to bring them there.
She once created a fiddle program at the school, although it no longer runs.
Even the students who aren’t part of her family know her well, including Alyssa Gallant, who knows her from the school’s ATV club.
She’s an “extremely positive” person, according to both the arts and culture students and their teacher.
“Her energy has been something that’s … added a lot to so many community events and so many community organizations,” said Chuck.
The CD isn’t the only fundraiser the school has put on for Tracy.
Back in September, both the school and the community organized an online crowdfund, ça va bien aller Tracy – let’s do it for Tracy – with a goal of raising $50,000 for her. The money would go towards helping pay medical bills, loss of wages and renovations to her split-level house to make it more accessible.
As of late November, the campaign had raised $42,000, and renovations to the house were underway.
“It’s been quite a while since that happened,” said Chuck, “so it’s kind of nice. I feel good that we’re coming in as a second wave of help.”
To promote the CD, the class is also putting on a concert the day of the release. The show will feature all the songs from the album, “as well as a few surprises and guest appearances,” according to the press release.
The concert is free to attend, and there will be a donation bin at the door.
The first performance is scheduled for Feb. 24 at 6:30 p.m. The second concert, a last-minute addition after the first sold out days after the announcement, will be held at 8 p.m. the same night.
All funds from CD sales and the donation bin will go to Tracy.
Twitter: @peikristin