The fun and excitement of Spring is right around the corner and one of the first signs of warmer and longer days to come is the Easter Jam.
The annual Easter Jam at Teazer’s Pub and Eatery has benefited a lot of groups and organizations, but in recent years the family outreach resource centre Maggie’s Place has had a champion carrying their banner.
Ron Downey’s story is not unfamiliar to many here in Cumberland County.
“When I first had my kids, Karen [Leblanc] and Maggie’s Place was always there for me,” Downey said. “I didn’t know nothing about being parenting. I had a child who had open-heart surgery at six months old, so Maggie’s Place was what inspired me to do this. They’ve done so much for me.”
Downey networks musicians into the schedule while making arrangements for door prizes and more. No stranger to being on stage or using the power of music for a good cause, Downey says he takes pride in organize the Easter Jam.
“I do a lot of fundraisers throughout the year, but this is my favourite. This is my baby,” he said. “They help so much and so many families.”
This year’s fundraiser will take place on Saturday, Mar. 31, beginning at 3 p.m. and running until closing at 2 a.m. Silent auction and door prizes aside, 11 music acts are schedule to perform.
Maggie’s Place uses the proceeds for a number of projects from year to year, executive director Sarah McMasters said. This year the fundraiser comes as the resource centre is striving towards something new.
“From year to year it varies. Sometimes our staff will have a special project they would like to undertake and to find funds is often difficult,” McMasters said. “Upgrading our outdoor play spaces is definitely a priority for our adult educators so we’d like to see that”
The goal, McMasters said, is to hire landscapers and adopt a more natural outdoor play space with sandbox and expand the current offering. McMasters and the staff of Maggie’s Place will be on hand to accept donations and be part of the day.
Teazer's Pub & Eatery Easter Jam schedule
Saturday, Mar. 31, 2018
3 p.m. – Darrah Legere & Friends
4 p.m. – Bruce Gibson
5 p.m. – Geoff Siddal & Friends
6 p.m. – Drew Polegato
7 p.m. – Basil Hicks & Steve Leblanc
8 p.m. – Michelle Leblanc
9 p.m. – Lost Highway
10 p.m. – Ronnie Downey & Friends
11 p.m. – Matchsticks
12 p.m. – Rob Rushton Good & Right
1 a.m. – Continuance
