Stony Lake Private Island Concert Raises $10,000 for Ronald McDonald House Charity
/A local couple, Bruce and Susan Hodges hosted Spoons, a JUNO award winning band, and Images in Vogue, at their island property on Stony Lake to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House charity on Saturday.
Spoons and Images in Vogue pose with Bruce and Susan Hodges. Photo by Andrew Clowater.
The Spoons perform at an annual concert for the Ronald McDonald House Charity (RMHC) but had to cancel in 2020 due to COVID.
“They needed to raise money for Ronald McDonald House and couldn’t. So we wanted to help out,” said Hodges.
RMHC gives families with sick children a place to stay closer to the hospital their child is receiving care at. According to their website over 26,000 families received assistance last year.
A recent study found that RMHC programs saved families a total of $48.3 million in out-of-pocket expenses like lodging, food, and other essentials in 2019.
In 2020 Hodges contacted the band and hosted them at their island on Stony Lake. Due to COVID restrictions at the time it was a small event and they were able to raise a few thousand dollars, according to Hodges.
Because of the success of last years concert the Spoons returned for a second concert this year.
“People had a great time, so this year we decided to do it again - make it the second annual,” Hodges said.
In hopes to make this years concert bigger and better Hodges brought in an opening band, Images in Vogue. He also invited guests to watch from a second island while both bands played on a barge in the lake. This allowed more ticket sales, while still complying with the provinces COVID restrictions.
Hodges announced on Saturday that this will be an annual event, and has already booked the band Honeymoon Suite for next year.
This years concert raised $10,000 for Ronald McDonald House Charity and Hodges hopes that they are able to maintain that donation every year.
Spoons pose with Bruce and Sandy at Saturdays concert. Photo by Andrew Clowater.
