GALLERY: MOMENTS WITH OUR GENEROUS FRIENDS, CONTRIBUTORS AND SUPPORTERS
The great Brian Williams was in the studio to record his passionate contribution to The Pro Bono Group's PRO CANADA PROJECT - coming soon to radio stations and podcasts near you. l. to r. Larry MacInnis, Brian, Mike Occomore. "Shop as if your country depends on it."
Proud Canadians Rick Mercer (second from left), and Ron James (right), were first to raise their hands to join the PRO CANADA PROJECT. Ron was on Canada's East Coast when we contacted him. He had driven there from Toronto, but was so pumped about helping out he offered to hop on a plane the next day and return home! Fortunately that wasn't necessary. They're with Mike Occomore (L) and Larry MacInnis.
Our PRO CANADA PROJECT got the attention of CNN, the BBC and CBC. With thanks to Toronto Mike'd for including the PSA voiced by Colin Mochrie and Deb McGrath in his podcast. That's where they picked up on the campaign.
Another proud Canadian stepped forward today to be part of the PRO CANADA CAMPAIGN by lending her voice and sharing her love of our wonderful country. Grammy Award winning singer, songwriter and pianist Chantal Kreviazuk, flanked by The Pro Bono Group's Mike Occomore, and The Coach House's ace audio engineer, Jeff Styga.
It didn't take long for Chantal Kreviazuk to record her PRO CANADA message to the country. Good thing because we needed the remainder of our time with her to listen to some great tales! Chantal nailed her PSA, BTW. Coming soon to Radio and Podcasts across the country. She's with The Coach House's Alex Reinprecht.
(l-r) Larry Macinnis, Ron MacLean, Arlene Dickinson, Mike Occomore.
The PRO CANADA project is gathering steam right across the country.
We managed to corral the great Kathy Greenwood into The Coach House to lend her voice to a new spot for our Pro Radio Campaign. "Better Weather" hit radio stations across the country in March 2025.
Paul Miller is no stranger to The Pro Bono Group, having voiced award-winning PSAs for the Canadian Red Cross. He is perhaps best known for playing Connor Doyle on the TV series "Psi Factor", and for his work on "Due South", "Good Witch" and "Suits". He's a veteran Stratford Festival stage actor too. Listen for Paul in the early part of 2025 on the new Feed Ontario PSA titled "Dimes". Or just click the photo above to listen in. Paul's with The Pro Bono Group's Mike Occomore (L).
Paul Miller in the soundproof booth at Wanted!, with ace producer Jeff Styga.
Having way too much fun in the studio.
Larry MacInnis (L) and Mike Occomore of The Pro Bono Group.
That's The Pro Bono Group's Mike Tennant, prayerfully directing radio PSAs back in 2014 at Wanted! Sound for THEMUSEUM in Kitchener and their exhibit "The Science of Sexuality". Check out all three PSAs in our archives. Or just click on the photo above.
In late 2024, we recorded with these two wonderful actors, Kiff VandenHeuvel (left) and Ben Turner Dixon, on a pair of new PSAs for the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness. Kiff's film credits include Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Nightcrawler and La La Land.
Ben has worked on countless feature films, animated projects and video games- and has the keen ability to voice-match for actors like Ryan Reynolds, Michael Fassbender and Brad Pitt, when producers are in a pinch.
Bob Bainborough, centre, is an actor/comedian perhaps best known for playing the role of Dalton Humphrey in the comedy series The Red Green Show, and his appearances on History Bites. He was nominated for a Gemini Award in both series.
This is not the first time Bob has helped out The Pro Bono Group. He appeared in our Amnesty International PSA titled "Torture" over 20 years ago. In September 2024, Bob drove two and a half hours just to record his lines and be part of our "Pro Radio Project".
Our 2023 award-winning PSA campaign for Canadian Food Banks would not have been possible without the wonderful performances by these six individuals. Clockwise from top left: Dominic Catrambone, Nicole Balick-Karrer, Elenna Stauiffer, Lindsey Alena, Marie Westbrook and Zac Fine. You can listen to their powerful work in our archives. Look for "Pretend", "For Anyone", "Heart" and "Not Retail". Special thank you to Jason Marks Talent Management.
Former Toronto and Vancouver radio personality turned voiceover pro Kat Carter (aka 'The Radio Nerd'), shared her personal struggle with food insecurity in a Food Bank PSA created with The Pro Bono Group and launched nationally in early 2024. Click the photo above and listen to "Help You".
In case anyone's wondering if a radio commercial is done in one easy take.
Beginnings for The Pro Bono Group:
Telling radio stories at the Kit Kat restaurant on King Street West in Toronto back around 2000. A great little eatery, sometimes overshadowed by the 70-year old tree growing right smack in the middle of the seating area, and stretching up through the roof!
Sadly, both the restaurant and the tree are no longer.
L to R: Larry MacInnis, Mike Tennant, Mike Occomore, Terry O'Reilly
The Pro Bono Group's Creative Director, Larry MacInnis waiting in the Green Room at The Coach House studio for the talent to arrive and the fun to begin. Or, maybe he's just praying that he didn't get the date messed up.
We couldn't wait to have her back. Toronto actress Kristina Nicoll's second visit to the recording studio to voice a pair of PSAs for Feed Ontario. Kristina is passionate about this important cause and was quick to help out again. She's with The Pro Bono Group's Creative Director, Larry MacInnis, left, and Executive Producer/Writer Mike Occomore.
The 'just printed', unspoiled script on the music stand is ready for the voice talent to arrive. Well, unspoiled until the Creative Director sharpens his pencil and the "Record" light goes on.