To raise money for Camp Colonie, a summer program for children with disabilities, Easter Seals of New York has paired with Schenectady’s Hibernian Hall for an Irish-themed night featuring the popular local band Hair of the Dog.
The event, held at the Hibernian Hall in Schenectady, 1748 State St., will take place Saturday, Nov. 22, at 5 p.m. The show will begin at 7 p.m. with an explanation of how the money raised that night will benefit kids in Camp Colonie.
At 7:30 p.m., bag-piper Sean Auccoin will perform, and Hair of the Dog will perform at 8 p.m. Silent and 50/50 auctions will be held between performances. Tickets for the concert are $20 per person if purchased ahead of time, and $25 at the door. Food and drinks will be served, and kids are welcome.
“It’s a really great event to raise awareness for Easter Seals,” said Easter Seals New York Development Associate Brenda Talbot. “The event will have a little bit of everything. We’re also trying to have some Irish step dancers. It’s a whole night that the family can enjoy.”
Easter Seals is a nonprofit organization that has been in service for 90 years. It works to create equal opportunity for people with disabilities with programs all around the state, including the Camp Colonie Program for children and young adults with physical, developmental and emotional disabilities.
“Camp Colonie is a fully integrated six-week school. It’s a place where children can go, who are struggling to succeed in a regular classroom. Special education teachers help them progress for the following school year. A lot of children regress during the summer, and this provides special one-on-one opportunities. It’s a place where they’re not judged and where they can be free,” Talbot said.
With the funds from the concert, Easter Seals is looking to increase the number of children who can attend the camp, which first began about 20 years ago. Right now, there are about 70 kids in the program, according to Talbot, with a waiting list of 40.
The money will also go toward programs, staffing and activities for the kids in the summer camp. It currently takes place at Colonie Town Park and accepts kids ages 5 to 21.
“School districts aren’t always able to provide the funds to have children go to summer schools. This creates equal opportunities,” Talbot said.
Planning for the event began about a year ago for Talbot. Having grown up listening to Hair of the Dog, Talbot said she thought the band would be a good way to help draw attention to the cause so she reached out to the band, asking them to donate their time for the night. She then worked with the Schenectady chapter of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, a religious-based Irish group, to plan the show. She said she hopes the event draws a crowd of 200 or more.
The Easter Seals of New York hosts other programs throughout the year, such as a Cuisines of the Capital tasting in February and Wins for Kids at Saratoga in August, but this is first benefit concert the organization has hosted in the Capital District.
To purchase tickets for the concert, or with any questions about the event and Easter Seals, Talbot can be reached at 728-8813 or [email protected].
