Search and rescue president records whimsical Boomer song to support Project Lifesaver

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Northern Ontario boomer’s catchy tune raises money for charities

Being a Boomer Ain't Bad - Official Music Video

A North Bay man who is the president of the Bay Search and Rescue program released a whimsical tune Wednesday about the joys and challenges of being a retired boomer.

Stan French said all proceeds will go to charities that rely on Project Lifesaver.

“As a boomer, you’ve got that freedom to try and stay active,” French said.

The name of the song came while he was on his way to play old timers’ hockey at the West Ferris arena, when he started thinking that being a boomer isn’t bad at all.

He started to hum a catchy melody and decided to write lyrics and record the uplifting tune.

“As a retired senior, you’re going to have the challenges and losses -- things like losses of friends or losses of things like eyesight and hearing,” French said.

“There’s going to be challenges. But if you can laugh at those and say that’s part of life, that’s good.”

With the help of his boomer bandmates -- Pat O’Kane, Chris Clarke, Bob Bartlett, Neil Kennedy, Linda McCarthy and Janis Herzog -- French recorded ‘Being a Boomer Ain’t Bad.’

He also released a video for the song on major streaming platforms, including Spotify and Apple Music.

The video shows French staying active by playing hockey, curling and pickleball, saying hello to his neighbours, taking a cruise and seeing the doctor - while also forgetting sometimes where he is.

French said he’ll donate all royalties to One Kids Place, The Alzheimer Society of North Bay and Sudbury, and the Victorian Order of Nurses SMILE Program.

The three charities refer clients to North Bay Air Search and Rescue (BAYSAR) and support families needing Project Lifesaver, of which French is president.

“This will be great for us … and help more seniors with having more of that money and keeping them safe at home as long as possible,” said SMILE Program case coordinator Abbey Robarts.

One Kids Place currently has 30 children who are on the autism spectrum in the program. The money there will go to offset the cost of Project Lifesaver enrolment.

A comfort to families

“It’s incredibly comforting to families that they have a number to call, and it immediately mobilizes a team to go and find their child,” said Jesse Reid, the One Kids Place volunteer coordinator.

To help kick-start fundraising and improve access so more seniors with dementia can get Project Lifesaver, the Rotary Club of North Bay has provided BAYSAR with $2,000.

That money will be used to provide Project Lifesaver at no cost to families with low incomes or no other source of funding.

Currently, 56 clients in the District of Nipissing are fitted with a Project Lifesaver transmitter that could help police locate them should they ever wander off.

However, French said many people still haven’t heard about it.

“We’re almost up at the point where we’ll have one client for every thousand people in the community,” he said.

He’s hoping the song becomes an instant classic and an earworm that people will have stuck in their heads.

People can also visit French’s website to make a direct donation to the charity of their choice.

“I’m going to give them some enjoyment with the song, and hopefully they all return the favour by donating,” he said.