Second annual Canada Day fundraiser raises $1700 for Food Bank

Jeff Green | Jul 05, 2023

David and Patty Lahey are big fans of Gould Lake, where they live half of the year, and of Sydenham. The couple are classic GTA escapees.

They bought their home 5 years ago as a second property for summer and holiday use with the idea of retiring at the lake in the back of their minds.

“We ended up being here almost all of the time throughout COVID and about half of the time now,” said David.

Over the years they have made friends among the residents of Gould Lake, have learned to love the businesses and community in Sydenham. In short, they’ve gone native.

David runs a software company, so now that he has good Internet Service, he can work at Gould Lake as easily as in Whitby, their other community, and Patty teaches and is nearing retirement.

“Sydenham is one of the best kept secrets in Ontario, and we want to keep it that way,” he said.

In the spring of 2021, one of the Lahey’s neighbours suggested that they look into setting up a Canada Day party that could raise money for the South Frontenac Food Bank, and they took to the idea.

They hired the band Backswing to play, put together a free BBQ, and invited neighbours and acquaintances to join them between 4pm and 8pm, a lull in Canada Day events. Everything is free, and donations to the food bank are encouraged.

“Jimmy Patterson and all the members of Backswing put on a great show, perfect for the crowd that we attract, and everyone has a great time. Then we pack it all up and head off to Sydenham for the fireworks. It goes really well.”

The first edition of the event raised $1,000 and this year they raised $1,700, even with a bit of a delay due to thunderstorms. David Lahey expects it only to go up from there in future years.

“The Food Bank is an important service, and use has skyrocketed. It is easy to fundraise for them,” said David, who is already looking forward to a summer fundraiser in 2024.

“This fundraiser is much appreciated, and the money goes to good use,” said Dan Eustace, Board Chair of Southern Frontenac Community Services,” who operate the South Frontenac Food Bank.