Jazz & Blues in the Village, Sarnia - SODA

Introducing Jazz & Blues in the Village, Sarnia
SODA

THE INSIDE SCOOP is fortunate to obtain interesting SCOOP from Donna Stewart, Jazz & Blues in the Village, Festival Director and the Committee. This year the Festival takes place September 14 & 15^th in McGibbon Park, Sarnia. I wanted to share with you a little about this wonderful event. … “Jazz & Blues in the Village is not just music in a park but is “a unique experience” as we invite people to “come and party under our tent”. 

Jazz & Blues in the Village is a charity fundraiser for the Sarnia Organ Donor’s Awareness Group. At McGibbon Park, in heart of the city, hundreds of people will enjoy a unique intimate festival experience. Weather under the heated tent (the evenings in September are cool) or among the sun and stars, at a table or on your cozy lawn chair, you can enjoy the sights and sounds.

“In 1994, the Sarnia Organ Donor’s Awareness group (SODA) was founded by two organ recipients, David Tully and Pat McLean. Their desire was to give something back to their community for the gift of new life they had been given.”

“SODA is a registered charity whose work is undertaken by a small but dedicated group of volunteers. We are not part of a national or provincial group and all money raised stays within Lambton County.”

The SODA mission “to increase public awareness of the need for organ and tissue donors; to provide support to a recipient before, during and following their surgery, to assist families with medical and other related costs, which may occur before, during and following transplantation; to provide funding to our local research facility to assist ongoing research in the area of transplantation; to educate the general public on organ and tissue donation”

“Several years ago, we recognized the need for SODA to have a “signature” event that would help increase the profile of our charity within Sarnia/Lambton and at the same time would generate additional funds to help support local families going through organ/tissue donation and/or transplantation. From that need has grown the music festival now known as “Jazz & Blues in the Village”. The festival takes place the third weekend of September and has become a true community event with many local businesses, individuals, volunteers and jazz and blues enthusiasts whole-heartedly embracing our event. Through this event SODA’s profile in our community has indeed grown!”

(To Be Continued)