‘Lasting legacy’ Thaddeus Lake Music Foundation established as tribute to deceased son
A family from Leduc, Alta., has found a way for their son’s love of music to live on after his death.
Just before a drunk driver killed Thaddeus Lake in November, he told his family he wanted to establish a foundation to help young musicians pursue their dreams.
When he died, his parents established the Thaddeus Lake Music Foundation and asked friends and family to make donations instead of sending flowers.
“Before he died the idea of the foundation began to gel in his mind and he shared it with his mother,” said Thad’s father, Tony.
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For three summers, Thad volunteered with the Mavericks, Calgary oil workers who raised money for charities through their foundation.
It was through his time with the Mavericks that Thad began to develop his idea of a foundation to provide musical instruments and lessons to youth in the Leduc area.
The foundation has raised $26,000 and given money to four children to attend a national music competition in Ottawa. Money was also loaned to a local group to help rent a hall for a concert.
If the band raises enough money at the door, it can be returned to the foundation, said Tony.
Renting a venue can be prohibitive for young musicians, he added.
The foundation has also loaned money to help offset the cost of T-shirts and other merchandise that a local group planned to sell at its concert. Another local band was loaned money to help mix a CD.
“Thad was a huge supporter of the local music scene.”
As a member of the Maddigans, Thad knew how important music can be to young people. Tony said his son wasn’t a star pupil, but excelled at music and drama.
“His life revolved around music, it was his existence.”
Through the foundation, local music teachers have offered to volunteer their time to teach lessons. Other people have donated musical instruments to pass onto children who can’t afford to buy their own.
Tony said his son wanted to make sure other children with a love of music have the same opportunity as he did.
“This is a lasting legacy.”
