Comedy show performed to help Save African Child Uganda (SACU)

Members of Save African Child Uganda (SACU) joined the three comedians and their families for a photo at the “Laugh Your Socks Off!” comedy show held Friday night at Lot 10 Brewing Co.

Three comedians helped lighten the mood last week and also helped lighten the fundraising load for a local charity.

The “Laugh Your Socks Off!” comedy show was held last Friday night to benefit Save African Child Uganda (SACU). The show was held at Lot 10 Brewing Co. featuring the comedic talents of Leo Dufour, Gary George and C.J. Erwin.

Ingrid Silvaggio-Heugh, a board member with SACU, said the group worked with Dufour to put the comedy show on. She said it was a sold-out crowd of approximately 70 people and tickets ran out quickly.

“This is the third comedy fundraiser we’ve had for SACU,” said Silvaggio-Heugh. “All three have been successful.”

The comedy show raised $1,930 for SACU.

Much of the proceeds raised will help educate youth in Uganda, said Silvaggio-Heugh.

“There is always something that’s coming up,” she said.

There are children and youth that lose their sponsors but they still are able to go through school, Silvaggio-Heugh continued, so some of the proceeds go to cover their educational costs. 

Children and youth are still given breakfast and lunch at school with Silvaggio-Heugh stating there are costs to provide that.

“Every little bit of funding helps with that,” she said.

Rick Vriesen, the current president of SACU, added in addition to helping to educate and feed the children in Uganda, they also want to assist them in getting to school safely. He said there was one incident where a child was killed while walking to school when the child was struck by a tractor coming out of a field.

“We’re trying to find ways to prevent that from happening again,” said Vriesen. “It’s so tragic.”

Silvaggio-Heugh said the school not only services the Ugandan village it is in, but surrounding villages as well.

“We’re trying to get them all there safely,” she stated.

SACU is trying to assist with a shelter in the African nation as some of the students live there due to violence in their homes or because they have no homes at all.

“We care for the kids 24/7,” said Silvaggio-Heugh.

Students that have gone through SACU’s schools are now either going to university or on waiting lists for post-secondary education.

“Some of the kids are doing quite well,” said Silvaggio-Heugh.

SACU’s origins date back to 2010 with the first class of students being 30 children. They now have over 200.

“We’ve come a long way,” she said.

Dufour said he is open to working with charities and organizations to help them fundraise.

“Whoever needs a fundraiser, I’ll put on a show for them,” he said.

For more information on how to work with Dufour, call 519-736-8269. For more information on SACU, visit www.sacuspirit.org. 

Comedy show performed to help Save African Child Uganda (SACU)

By Ron Giofu