When Jack Foster learned that a fundraising concert in Thorold last month would provide the Niagara Peninsula Foundation for Children with more than $17,000, he was gobsmacked.
“We didn't realize that it would be $17,654,” said Foster, who is the chair of the foundation. “This is like a gift to the foundation, and a gift we can pass on.”
And that is exactly what is going to be done with the funds, Foster said. The foundation, which helps children in need across the region is currently working with schools in low-income areas of Niagara to help fund breakfast and meal programs.
“It's awesome,” Foster said. “This allows us to do even more for the community.”
Anthony Venneri of the RE-MAX Garden City Realty Venneri Real Estate Team was one of the driving forces behind the event. Venneri is no stranger to staging or helping with community events, as he has been involved in several Thorold community endeavours like the Niagara Italian Festival and Thorold’s Canada Day celebrations over the past three decades. For his latest endeavour, he teamed with Dennis Mancini and Frank Serravalle of Thorold Auto Solutions for what was called Rockin’ the Battlefield last month at the Battle of Beaverdams Park.
The concert was headlined by Grace 2, a popular Tragically Hip tribute act. Also performing were popular Niagara cover band, The Figure Four, and Bon Jovi tribute act, Keep the Faith.
“It was very successful. We're pleasantly surprised with the support that we got to put this on,” Venneri said. “We thought we'd do a fundraiser for an amazing foundation, and we really didn't expect it to be as successful as it was, but we're fortunate enough to have the weather on our side and the support was awesome.”
In addition to the music, visitors could enjoy food and drink vendors as well as a classic car show put together by Serravalle.
The money raised came from ticket sales, some beverage sales, a 50/50 draw and the generosity of sponsors.
Venneri estimates that about 1,000 people attended the concert and plans are to do it all again next year.
“We’ve already got the wheels in motion,” he said. “We're started organizing a little bit, lining up some sponsors and trying to do as good or better than we did this year and keep it going."
More information on the Niagara Peninsula Foundation for Children can be found here.
