FORGET - The Happy Nun Café was the place to be on Saturday, when many people came together for a cabaret for the Lake family.
Organizers Erin Richaud and Kim Malowski put the event on to help Jonathan Lake and his family.
Lake was diagnosed with cancer earlier in the year, which devastated his family. Lake has three young children and now with his illness is unable to work.
Although an account has been set up in Lake’s name at the Stoughton Credit Union, Richaud and Malowski felt the need to do more, and the cabaret was put in motion, with the Happy Nun offering their venue for the event.
The sold-out benefit enjoyed music by the Back 40 Drifters, a southeast Saskatchewan group with five talented members.
Band member John Van Eaton said they felt the need to support this family and donated their time and talents. They played a wide variety of music throughout the evening.
Van Eaton’s home burned to the ground in 1986 and he never forgot how his community pulled together and helped him out, so he wanted to pay it forward with the Lakes.
With 42 donated raffle prizes, people eagerly bought up tickets to support, but also on the chance to win one of the fabulous prizes, which were donated from all around.
Richaud and Malowski are so thankful for all the businesses, friends and family that helped before, during and after this phenomenally successful cabaret.
The Café sold drinks for $5, which kept bartender Leon Gilbertson busy with part of the proceeds being donated to the family as well.
Stoughton Meat Market, Stoughton Co-op, Goodwill Bakery in Stoughton, and Doreen Richaud gracefully donated a delicious midnight snack. Richaud said without all the donations, this event would not have been possible.
They also said it was good to see Jonathan and Cheryl Lake attend. Cheryl was grateful to be able to get out and enjoy an evening of socializing. She said, “it took my mind off of life for just a little while.”
Dancers came from all over area communities, hitting the dance floor with their fantastic moves.
Richaud went on to say that it is because of all the caring people that have attended and donated that make this area a special place to live.
The Lake family said they have no words to express how deeply grateful and overwhelmed they are with the generosity shown to their family over the last months.
“Cards, texts and phone calls have lifted our spirits immensely,” Cheryl said. Donations made in person or through the Stoughton Credit Union or the coin wars at the Stoughton Central School are amazing, and now through the cabaret.
“This has helped her family so much and it eases the financial burden, incurred with all the travelling we need to do with treatment,” Cheryl said.
They would like to thank all the staff, doctors and nurses at the Arcola Hospital and the General and Pasqua Hospitals in Regina, for their compassion during this trying time.
Jonathan, Cheryl, Cheyenne, Willian and MacyLynn would like for everyone to know that they are so very thankful for all the outpouring love and support during this time. It will never be forgotten.
Thank you so, so very much.
