They lost the life of the party, but for the Higgins family, that’s all the more reason to throw a party and remember all while helping a good cause.
Rob Higgins is hosting the latest edition of the Higgi’s Harmony in Action Bash in honour of this little sister Jenny, who died last year at age 39 from cancer. The proceeds support Harmony in Action, a local agency which provides programs and services for adults with disabilities.
What started out as a friendly gathering at his LaSalle home some 15 years ago has turned into a full-out downtown block party on Chatham St. E. with four patios, three Elvis impersonators, two live bands and a guitar raffle. It’s exactly the sort of party Jenny would throw.
“She was a total firecracker,” Higgins said, describing his sister. This is the first year the family hosts the event without Jenny around, he said, so it will be difficult. “She was the life of the party,” Higgins said. She’d be outside dancing as soon as the music started.
Jenny loved the Elvis tribute singers, he said, so three of them will be making an appearance Sunday evening.
A lifelong fan of Kenny Rogers (she listened to him every day and knew him personally), Jenny also loved live music, Higgins said. Kenny Rogers won’t be making an appearance, but it doesn’t mean Jenny’s favourite musician won’t somehow make it into the show. “I’m sure we’ll fool around with (a cover),” said Higgins, who also plays in the band Drop Dead Famous, which is performing Sunday night along with The Formula.
Over the years, the event has also grown more kid-friendly, with face painting, an animal show and free ice cream for kids on Sunday afternoon.
The fundraiser runs from 12 pm to 9 pm on Sunday, with kids’ activities starting at 3 pm and live music starting around 5 pm. There’s no cover but a $5 donation to Harmony in Action is encouraged. Donors can also put their names in the raffle for an acoustic guitar autographed by members of B.C. rock band Theory of a Deadman.
Higgins said he estimates the annual fundraiser generates about $5,000 in donations for Harmony in Action each year. Along with donations from the public, the fire department also contributes (Higgins also works as a firefighter) and the four bars hosting the crowd – The Kilt and Fiddle, Maroon Bros., Turf Lounge and Carparelli Sound Lounge – each donate a portion of the proceeds, he said.
Jenny attended the day program at Harmony in Action for years, Higgins said. The organization, which does not receive regular funding from the government, offers day programs and services for adults with disabilities including life skills activities, field trips, arts and crafts and music groups to help them grow more independent and also make sure they have a place to socialize regularly.
In Ontario, people over age 18 with disabilities often have a hard time accessing activities and skills training because they’re out of the school system.
The agency provides a vital service for people with disabilities in Windsor-Essex, Higgins said, and the family has long been a supporter. “If it wasn’t for them, half these people would be sitting at home starting out the window,” he said.
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