Tetewatatia’takéhnhahs fundraiser a hit
Saturday night’s Tetewatatia’takéhnhahs benefit show at the Knights of Columbus raised over $25,000, $20,000 of which came from the event itself and the rest from a hockey ticket auction and raffles. Courtesy Mouchie Goodleaf
For the last decade-plus, Mouchie Goodleaf has held benefit shows at the Knights of Columbus to raise funds for different causes and organizations in the community.
The last two years the beneficiary has been Tetewatatia’takéhnhahs, the organization in Kahnawake that helps support those in the community that have been diagnosed with cancer.
The last two shows each raised around $12,000, and this time, they raised more than twice that amount, with more than $25,000 going to the committee.
“Tetewatatia’takéhnhas is near and dear to our hearts, myself and my wife Sharon,” said Goodleaf.
Many members of their family have been directly affected by cancer - Mouchie’s sisters Anna Mae Rice and Trudy Thomas as well as Sharon’s sister Shelley Lazare are cancer survivors; Mouchie’s brother-in-law Wayne Rice and Sharon’s mother Hazel Lazare unfortunately lost their battles against the disease.
“Everyone either knows someone or has someone close to them who is battling or a survivor of cancer,” said Goodleaf.
Lisa Skye, one of the members of the Tetewatatia’takéhnhas committee, said the money the organization raises helps those affected by cancer in the community, and with the cost of living going up, successful fundraisers let them help even more people.
“There are many families in our community that we are able to help with these funds,” said Skye.
It may be because cancer affects so many people in town that the show in support of Tetewatatia’takéhnhas on Saturday was so successful, with a sellout crowd in attendance at the Knights to dance to the Derik Bross band.
The show itself raised $20,000 while the rest of the money came from a live hockey ticket auction and raffles.
While Goodleaf knew this year’s show would raise more money than the previous ones had, he was not expecting it to be this successful.
“I was quite overwhelmed when we did the presentation and thinking about what we had just accomplished,” said Goodleaf of what was going through his mind when the giant cheque for $20,000 was presented on stage to members of the committee.
Skye, who was one of those on stage, said she and the rest of the committee were overwhelmed, too.
“We were blown away. We didn’t think it was going to be that high. This show is always a success, but you don’t know how successful it’s going to be until the end,” said Skye.
“The generosity of so many people is just outstanding. We can only do what we could do because of the community.”
The show was a fun time, too, with the band turning the Knights into a big dance floor.
“Derik Bross was the obvious choice. He’s getting a huge loyal following, and they bring the house down!” said Goodleaf.
“Last year was amazing, and this year was even more entertaining,” said Skye.
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Goodleaf said the event could not have happened without the help of the event’s co-sponsors, K1037, Playground Cares, the emcee of the event Joe Delaronde, and all those that helped to put the show together.
“It was an incredible night,” said Goodleaf.
It won’t be the last time he puts on a show for Tetewatatia’takéhnhas.
“Keep your ear to the ground, I’m already planning something,” he said.
