RED DEER -- Like he has done hundreds of times before Ivan Daines gets ready for another show.
Ivan's guitar, this well-worn road warrior's tool of love, is dutifully placed at his side. His many recorded discs of music from over the years are carefully laid out on a table. The mic stand is already set up. His unmistakable voice is ready to go.
The doors will be open shortly at 9 a.m. and this famed singing cowboy and retired Canadian champion rodeo man, is ready to open his own brand of the heart language to those who need it most.
"He brings a lot of joy. That's important in this place. It can be very sad sometimes but people love to hear him sing," said Red Deerian Gail DeGelder, a former opera singer. "He sings songs close to their hearts, ones they have heard for a lot of years, and that's important."
Soup kitchen staff gather for a prayer before serving breakfast. Johnnie Bachusky/MVP Staff
DeGelder is one of more than 100 souls who have come to Ivan's Saturday morning show on March 16. It is being held in downtown Red Deer at the Potter’s Hands Ministries' soup kitchen, now in its 20th year of helping the poorest of the poor; long forgotten folks living on the toughest margins of society.
They are also here for another prized meal, a breakfast of ham and eggs, hash browns, toast and fruit. As Ivan tunes up, volunteer kitchen manager Amanda Oster and her dedicated crew are busy preparing to feed the growing lineup of hungry souls outside.
"I know a lot of people who come here like listening to the music. It kind of wakes them up in the morning and it's nice to have some music and something calming in the background rather then just letting them be grumpy," said Oster with a chuckle. "It is kind of nice how he sings my song for me, at least once a month."
With breakfast now ready at 9 a.m., volunteer Doug Denney opens the doors for the many dozens waiting outside.
"Music always calms the soul," said Denney. "Unfortunately it stirs up some, but yes, it's always good to have live music here."
Pastor Bob Geelen, who is from Red Deer's Liberty Christian Assembly Church, faithfully spends most of his time working at the soup kitchen. He knows it's tough living on the streets and the importance the soup kitchen plays for its battered inhabitants.
"Potter's Hands is here to reach out to the underprivileged people, the homeless, the drug addicts, and we feed from 50 to 200 people every day. I believe that because we are here, Red Deer is a better and safer place," said Geelen, noting the special gift Ivan brings to grateful souls of the streets. "Ivan is a wonderful guy, and wonderful addition from a musical and singing point of view.
Pastor Bob Geelen said Ivan Daines adds a “wonderful spiritual dimension” to the soup kitchen with his singing. Johnnie Bachusky/MVP Staff
"We need music because God believes in music," he added. "The heavens are full of music. It adds a wonderful spiritual dimension."
Ivan, out of respect for the ministry, serves up a "gospel orientated" morning to his audience, which is relaxed and silently grateful for breakfast. There are requests, however, which the beloved cowboy is only too happy to honour. Johnny Cash's I Walk the Line is a clear favourite.
"It's my little bit of contribution to people that appreciate it and I try to help out when I can. Music is what I do now, and horses," said Ivan during a breakfast break with friend Donna Contois. "They are great people here. They have their troubles but they do their best. You see what the world is all about on the other side.
"There are actually people I have been around my whole life in here and they've had some big troubles and they are trying to get through it," he said, noting many Innsifailians facing hard times use the soup kitchen service. Ivan said the soup kitchen even helps people he used to rodeo and sing with.
"I've seen them here. People need a little help once in a while and I am proud I can do my little part," said Ivan. "I am proud to be here."
Volunteer soup kitchen manager Amanda Oster loves when Ivan Daines sings a song for her on Saturday mornings. Johnnie Bachusky/MVP Staff
