Thomas A. Stewart Dance Program Honours MacHart Family Through ‘Sweet Charity’ Fundraising Event
/The Thomas A. Stewart (TAS) auditorium was packed with a sold-out crowd Tuesday night as the school’s dance program hosted the ‘Sweet Charity’ fundraising event in support of the MacHart family.
The Thomas A. Stewart Dance Program. Photo by Michael Brown Photography.
After a 4-year hiatus, the TAS Dance Program was able to host their annual fundraising event in-person on Feb. 21.
“This year's event was extra special to us for a few reasons,” says TAS dance teacher Susie Clarke. “Due to the pandemic, we haven’t been able to host live performances, so filling a space with this many people and having them experience this as a collective, once again, has been so meaningful for all performers and audience members.”
The next reason, Clarke says, is getting to give back to the community.
“Traditionally, Sweet Charity funnels all proceeds to multiple local charities, as chosen by each participating dance organization. This year we collectively decided to channel all proceeds from the event to support the MacHart family,” she said.
Clarke says all participating organizations were in support of this, which TAS is “wholeheartedly grateful for.”
Riddick, Jon and Stefphanie MacHart were victims of a fatal accident on Hwy. 7 on the 22nd of November last year. Rowghan MacHart, the only survivor, was airlifted to SickKids hospital where she remains today.
The Machart family. gofundme photo.
Riddick MacHart had been a member of the dance program for the past five years, and sister Rowghan a grade nine Integrated arts student at the school. Stefphanie was an educational assistant at TAS.
“If anyone had the opportunity to see Riddick in his element, you would already know that he exuded passion, commitment and joy every time he stepped on to the stage,” said Clarke. “As you can imagine, this loss has been profound for not only the TAS dance community, but for our entire school. Furthermore, it is clear that the MacHart family had, and continues to have, a profound impact on our entire dance and arts community in Peterborough.”
In an update from MacHart family GoFundMe creator Tanya Hart on Feb. 16, she says that Rowghan is “making progress day by day” despite challenges due to her extensive internal injuries.
“Rowghan has proven time and time again that she will not let it stop her from progressing and moving forward,” the update reads.“We would like to thank TAS and all of the performers for always being such a huge support to the family.”
