Terry McNamee
Special to the Beaver
Music is doing more than just raising the spirits of people at the Lennox & Addington County General Hospital.
On Sunday, Jan. 19, the Napanee and District Olde Tyme Fiddlers Association presented a cheque for $500 to the Hospital Foundation. The money will be used to help purchase IV pumps, which are used to deliver controlled amounts of fluids to patients.
“We very much appreciate the donation, as IV pumps are used throughout the hospital,” said Adrienne Harris-Hale, vice-chair of the Hospital Foundation.
Olde Tyme Fiddlers president Mark Larabie said the musicians raise money throughout the year, and donate $500 cheques four or even five times a year to different groups. The hospital is always one of those recipients.
He said the Fiddlers — which actually include other musicians, not just fiddlers —raise money through a variety of means, among them Share the Wealth raffles, draws, door prizes and the admission to their Open Mic events which are held every month except August at the Lions Hall in Napanee. Those open mics are very popular, usually pulling in at least 200 people and some 30 musicians on the third Sunday of the month to listen to old-style country and dancing..
“We couldn’t do it without some great volunteers,” Larabie said, adding that local businesses are extremely supportive.
“I’d like to thank area businesses for their generous donations for our Senior Christmas Gala on Dec. 15,” he said, adding that the group is currently selling raffle tickets on a television donated by Ron Kerr Construction from Picton.
For more information, call Mark Larabie at 613-328-0028.