Mad Hatters Band, Isolation Station, Phase 2 “The Unity Hat”
He launched his second effort to support mental health in as many months at the cottage last night. Frank Pietrangelo of the Mad Hatters Band went LIVE on Instagram, sporting a new black trucker style hat, unveiling what has been affectionately been dubbed ISO-187, Phase 2, “The Unity Hat.”
After selling 186 of the Phase 1 hats, this Phase 2 effort will also be a limited edition and only available for purchase until August 8th.
This is once again a solid showing of the commitment, heart and demonstration of community spirit we have in Niagara. Frankie’s friends, family and as well as mental health supporters supported this project from day one, through helping with design, printing, and distribution to purchasing hats, and telling others about the campaign. We at Pathstone feel very fortunate to have this type of support all around us.
Kim Rossi, Director of Philanthropy & PR, Pathstone Foundation/ Mental Health
When you become a part of Phase 2, you are supporting your kids, nieces and nephews, grand kids, cousins, friends and our community as a whole who lean on Pathstone Mental Health. We will walk together through this monumental life change, and support those who are struggling together.
Frank Pietrangelo, Mad Hatters Band, and Isolation Station creator.
The Isolation Station, Phase 2 Unity Hat is on sale now at https://shop.pathstonefoundation.ca/
Cost is $25, taxes included and 100 percent of the proceeds go directly to Pathstone to support the countless programs they offer children, youth and families in Niagara, including their nine walk-in clinics.
When you pick-up your hat the week of August 17 at Monkey Sports, we encourage you to Wear + Share it on social and tag @pathstonemh_Niagara and @madhatters_band.
To read more about how Isolation Station came to be, please read the story below.
The Story
It was Sunday March 15, and as the COVID-19 pandemic continued to progress, Niagara moved to into full shut down mode in an effort to curb the spread. Kids were forced out of school, people out of work, and families were told to stay home.
It became a dark time for many who struggled to come to terms with this new reality. You saw income being reduced or lost, safety being threatened and social connections severed.
In the darkness of COVID-19, Isolation Station was born.
It was launched on Wednesday March 18, by Frank Pietrangelo of the Mad Hatters Band on Instagram LIVE. From 9 pm (or whenever his kids went to bed) until 11 ish this show, quickly became more than just Frank on his keyboard playing Bruce Springsteen from the garage. It was a meeting point that offered connection, support, laughs and yes, live music for all who were watching. It was a show about friendship and deep connection. The darkness of COVID-19 was a little brighter for two hours each Wednesday night.
Like any good show, Isolation Station continued to increase in popularity. There was no “sign on the door” of this garage bar, so long-time friend Tony Basilone designed one. The Isolation Station logo was a black circle, trimmed in gold with a lowercase gold “I” in the centre. There was a little light amongst the darkness.
When Frank sported a black trucker hat with this new logo, everyone wanted one. Fast-forward to 186 hats sold and $1,239.17 raised for Pathstone Mental Health and momentum that will not quit.
However, the look and life through COVID-19 is changing.
While we are not complexly in the clear, the warm weather and fewer active COVID-19 cases is allowing some of our past freedoms to return.
In many cases, stores have re-opened, group gathering numbers have increased, but many workplaces are still closed, there is still a lot of worry and anxiety around the unknown.
As Isolation Station moves into Phase 2, we feel supported and a little brighter. For some, the COVID-19 shut-down turned into a time for people to reconnect with things they had long left behind due to being over-worked, over-tired, and over-committed.
As we join together in Phase 2, we are releasing Isolation Station’s Unity Hat.
On sale for 10 days only (until August 8). This, like the Phase 1 hat will be a limited edition offer, accompanied by a personalized letter from Frank.
When you become a part of Phase 2, you are supporting your kids, nieces and nephews, grand kids, cousins, friends and our community as a whole who lean on Pathstone Mental Health.
We will walk together through this monumental life change, and support those who are struggling because Niagara Never Quits.
Special thanks to Rob Orr at Monkey Team Sports by Northland for producing and distributing the hats.