On September 5, The S’Aints concert attendees learned, although volunteers were still counting, they had helped to raise a minimum of $15,154 plus a trunk load of canned, paper, baby, hygiene and sanitary goods.
Organizers have announced that the final tally now brings the 2026 total to $16,589.28. The final grand total breaks all yearly records. Organizers had hoped to bring the five-year total to $25,000 and instead the five-year total now stands at $36,992.63.
Yearly totals to date 2022 – $2,500; 2023 – $4,400; 2024 – $4,750; 2025 – $8,753.35; 2026 – $16,589.28.
The 2026 funds will aid and be split among these Leamington initiatives: Leamington United Church’s Monday Community Meal Ministry, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church’s Outside Pantry Ministry, St. Vincent de Paul’s Food Bank Ministry, The Salvation Army’s Leamington Community and Family Services, and St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church’s Community Meal & Outreach Ministry.
“St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church was profoundly grateful to receive the 2025 funds that supported our community meal and outreach ministry, said Deacon Deborah Wilson-Safa. “These resources strengthened our ability to serve neighbours with dignity, hospitality, and compassion. As we look ahead to 2026, we recognize that our ministry is rooted in partnership. The right and faithful path is to share these blessings with the community partners with whom we collaborate and with whom we share our resources. Together, we continue the work of caring for our community in ways no one organization could accomplish alone.”
“I never thought we’d be able to bring yet another fundraiser to the community outside of the annual S’Aints Christmas concert, but here we are, five years in, and really starting to ramp things up!” said Jeff Burrows, founding member and drummer of The S’Aints. “None of this is possible without the Municipality of Leamington, the volunteers, The Bank Theatre, and of course our presenting sponsor LiUNA!625 – see you next year!”
Presented by LiUNA!625 at Leamington’s Sunset Amphitheatre at Seacliff Park, the concert took place on Saturday, September 5 and is in partnership with the Municipality of Leamington and produced by The Bank Theatre.
The concert is an all ages, free to attend fundraiser, a great family day and an annual Labour Day weekend event in celebration of hard-working labourers across all industries. The S’Aints philanthropic concerts are legendary and continue to be driven by founding members Jody Raffoul and Tea Party drummer Jeff Burrows, in partnership with local favourites and world-renowned talents: Wes Buckley, Kelly “Mr. Chill” Hoppe, David Cyrenne, Kay Howl, Marty Bak, Jim O’Neil and The Twisted Sisters aka Liz Robinson and Stephanie Baker.
Plans are already underway for the 6th Annual S’Aints Rock Seacliff to Fight Hunger at Sunset Amphitheatre in Seacliff Park, Leamington and is set for September 4, 2027 at 7:30 pm. If you would like to sponsor the event, contact Jeff Burrows or Jody Raffoul.
