GOLDSTEIN: Helping others a way of life for Toronto saxophonist Dave McLaughlin
· Toronto Sun
When it comes to tackling society’s ills, there are basically two approaches.
One is to talk the talk. The other is to walk the walk.
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You can talk about addressing problems — leaving the hoped-for solutions to others — or you can do something yourself to address them.
My friend, David McLaughlin, is in the “walk the walk” category — a world-class saxophonist who devotes a large part of his talent and resources to doing whatever he can to make the world, and more specifically Toronto, a better place.
On Saturday, Feb. 28, he’ll be continuing that work, holding a fundraising gospel concert, honouring three giants — the late Lincoln Alexander, lieutenant governor of Ontario, Nelson Mandela and Jesse Jackson — in the wind-up to Black History Month.
Concerts are fundraisers for scholarships
It’s the latest in a series of concerts he holds two or three times annually to raise money for everything from funding scholarships for deserving young people in need in the Greater Toronto Area, to providing relief for hurricane-ravaged Jamaica, where he was born.
That’s in addition to donating a portion of his CD sales to worthy charities.
McLaughlin emigrated to Canada in 1991 and became a Canadian citizen.
He has toured the world performing for huge audiences, opening for the likes of the late, legendary Ray Charles.
Rita Marley, wife of the late reggae legend Bob Marley, calls him her adopted son, and entrusted him with composing a song celebrating his life.
Today he fronts the Dave McLaughlin Band, which performs at corporate events, weddings and other social occasions around the GTA.
Devotion to charitable work was instilled by his family
McLaughlin says his devotion to charitable work was born from the lessons instilled in him by his father and grandmother when he was growing up in Montego Bay, where he was taught at the local parish church that the act of charity was a commandment from God because, “Blessed are those who consider the poor.”
His support for public education and commitment to doing good works stems from his conviction that, “every child can grow up to become anything — a doctor, a lawyer or a criminal” and “we have to help them make the right choices.”
I’ve known McLaughlin for almost two decades.
We met while both doing volunteer work for a charity similarly devoted to helping young people make the right choices in life — the Independent United Order of Solomon — run by the late Lloyd and Madaine Seivright, both born in Jamaica before emigrating to Canada in 1974, and setting up their charitable foundation in 1978.
I’ll be the master of ceremonies at McLaughlin’s fundraising concert on Saturday, Feb. 28, at the Rosewood Church of the Nazarene, 657 Milner Ave., Scarborough, starting at 7:00 pm. Tickets are $30 and for more information, call 647-655-7811.