Leigh Leckerman was killed by a drunken driver 16 years ago, but her legacy is still bringing hope and happiness to this day.
On Oct. 18, Somerton resident Jim Pietrowski will help the Leigh Leckerman Scholarship Fund host its third annual recovery concert to raise funds to help individuals in and seeking recovery. Hosted at Brookside Manor in Feasterville, the night will include dinner and music in the name of a good cause.
“Say you needed treatment but you have no resources left,” Pietrowski said, adding that some people need to find treatment but don’t have an insurance company that will back them. Pietrowski himself is 25 years clean of heroin.
“The funds will be used to put up money for the first couple of weeks to get you back on your feet,” he said, with uses including buying a suit for a job interview. The goal is to provide help that will keep the individual clean permanently.
Last year’s concert raised $55,000, Pietrowski said. This year the hope is to be bigger than before, adding a buffet dinner as well as a slew of entertainers. Jackie “The Joke Man” Martling will host the event, and other entertainers include David Uosikkinen’s The Bar Band (The Hooters), Greg Davis (Beru Revue), Kenny Aaronson (Bob Dylan, The YardBirds), Wally Smith and Steve Butler (Smash Palace), Don Van Winkle (The American Dream), Richard Bush (The A’s) and Joey DiTullio. Many of the entertainers are in recovery themselves.
There will also be a 50/50, raffle baskets and a silent auction.
Leckerman was 21 and preparing to graduate from Penn State University when she attempted to drive home after a night of partying, crashing into a curb. She got out of the car and attempted to walk home when she was struck and killed by a drunken driver.
Tickets are available for $80 at Leighshelp.org or by calling Denise Leckerman at 215-377-1034. Businesses or other organizations interested in running an ad in the program book or sponsoring the show can also call that number.
