Lakefield Herald Special Report

Leahy concerts raise $50,000 for Medical Centre

by Anita Locke

Internationally acclaimed Leahy, the wonderfully gifted and talented family who grew up just outside of Lakefield, played to sold-out crowds at Showplace last Thursday and Friday evening.

Leahy, the Juno award-winning Canadian music group from Lakefield, presented the concerts in support of the Lakefield Primary Health Care Centre campaign.

They are a Canadian powerhouse of eight musical brothers and sisters who have been playing together their entire lives. The band’s three acclaimed CDs – Leahy, Lakefield, and In All Things – have worldwide sales of over half a million copies.

Smith-Ennismore-Lakefield Deputy Reeve Mary Smith attended the Friday night show. She said “It was a wonderful evening. The crowd reacted with great energy to the magnificent performance that Leahy gave. It was so much fun to see the youngest, newest generation of Leahy on stage with their parents and grandparents.”

At one point, there were 15 fiddles on stage.

Denise Leahy talked about how wonderful it has been to see the region come together for this project.

She added that many communities have tried a similar project and failed, and she is continually amazed at how this medical center has galvanized the community. “I’m so proud of my Lakefield roots,” she said.

Ken Pipher, Chair of the Communications and Marketing Committee said, “This was Leahy’s idea. It’s been 12 years since they last performed at Showplace. They were very excited, and commented several times during the performance how badly this medical center is needed.”

The Leahy concerts generated an additional $50,000 towards the campaign. A $25,000 donation from Scotiabank was also announced at one of the concerts, bringing the total raised to date of about $4.1 million towards the $4.4 million goal.

Corporate sponsors for the event included Lakefield Physiotherapy and Foot Clinic (Lori Neill), Morris Chemicals (Steve Morris) and Padgett Dental Clinic.

Major sponsors included Ennismore’s Donnie Young (CDR Young’s Aggregates) and Carl Young (Robert Young Construction).

A common refrain from many of those asked, including Dr. Bruce Gibson, Chair of the Foundation, and Glenda Newson, was “an amazing, wonderful, tremendous show.”

Donnell Leahy, one of the group’s members, said, “We all have ways we can help, and this is one way we can. So many people in this community step up and support their own, and we wanted to be a part of that.”

Construction on the new facility, located at the corner of Hwy. 28 (old Hwy. 134) and Strickland Street is progressing well. Stop by and say hello to the crew when you have the opportunity.

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