A group of musicians is banding together for a worthy cause.
Sam Harvey, is one of more than 20 musicians participating in Keely's Charity Jam which takes place from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Elks Club in North Bay on Sunday, November 27.
The benefit is to help the family of Keely Lacarte, a 10-year-old New Liskeard girl who has cancer.
"She broke her foot and she was 10 years old and the hospital visit uncovered Ewing Sarcoma and the treatment for that is in Ottawa," said Harvey.
The musical community in New Liskeard initially started raising money to cover all the travel expenses for the family.
Because the musical family is tight in northern Ontario, Harvey was asked to try and run a benefit event in North Bay.
"I got a hold of the poster from New Liskeard, that is really all I had and then I posted on social media and called some musicians," said Harvey who also helped run Jordan's Bash for Hope in downtown North Bay this summer.
The Keely's Charity Jam event will run from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. with musicians all having 20-minute sets.
"That is what we have had to do to get everybody in on time so we don't turn anybody away," explained Harvey.
The Elks Lodge hosting the event by subsidizing the cost and Harvey says a number of silent auction items have been donated as well. A spaghetti dinner is being provided by Burgerworld on Algonquin Avenue.
Kendra Lacarte, Keely's mom, reached out to Harvey when she found out about the benefit in North Bay.
"This innocent little girl has been thrown into the battle of her life for the next year or so," she said.
"My husband and I have stepped away from everything else in our lives to be her rock during this battle. Sam Harvey and his friends are kind enough to raise a fundraiser for Keely so both my husband and I can be by Keely's side during this journey. We cannot thank everyone enough and we appreciate any help you are able to offer in this horrible time."
"It puts a lump in my throat reading this now," said Harvey about the message from Keely's mom.
"For any volunteer, this is how we are paid is like this."
Harvey wants to help out but he is not putting any financial expectations on anybody.
"There is no stress planning this," he said.
"The help that we get, we get. The amount of bands that are coming out was our goal."
For more information on Sunday's event contact Sam at [email protected]
