Leos Put on The First Annual Jamfest for Charity

by Paul Saulnier 1/22/12

The LEOs, the junior division of the Lions, organized a show of local talent (their first annual Jamfest) Saturday night at Town Hall to raise funds for the Food Pantry and NEADS, an organization that trains and provides service dogs for people with special needs (also veterans with PTSD or disabilities, and the hearing- or vision-impaired). About 100 people attended the concert.

Kaileigh Stopa, on the guitar, is accompanied by Randy Stopa.

Anya Ostapovicz performed solo for the audiance.

Natasha Ostapovicz performed several times during the event.

Sarah Yarashus and Natasha perform together.

Novation played several numbers during their set late in the evening. Blackwell and Raft Nasty also donated their talents to the cause.

The performers and the audience surprised Nate Burket (the lead singer of Blackwell) with "Happy Birthday".

Beneficiaries for the Leo's efforts, NEADS brought two dogs to the show.

 The experience was part of their training, exposing them to loud noises.

Robin Stopa (a member of the LEOs Club) took on the assignment to make the event happen. Eleventh grader Rachel Clinton (the president of the club), above, said that Steven Apesos was great in helping the Leos secure equipment, a sound board, etc. – the music-related details.  Robin was willing to head a planning committee of 16 LEOs to make it happen. Other club members who were not part of the planning committee still volunteered their time and resources to contribute to the baked goods table.

Andy Porter, Holliston's King Lion, pointed out that the 12 Lions present this night were working for the LEOs, an interesting arrangement. According to Sydney Strzempko, the Secretary for the Holliston LEOs Club, "The Lions Club had told us months before we planned the event that they were grateful for the assistance we had provided in their various endeavors over the past couple of years and they were more than willing to assist us if we planned a full-scale event that required volunteers."

Thank you, Sydney and Robin, for your help in putting this story together.

Posted in Comings/Goings, Arts.

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