Saugerties musical fundraiser raises $21k for narcotics awareness, choir program

Bob Siracusano, with the mike, presents checks of $8000 to Carole Kelder of the RYAN program, and Rebecca MacDougall of the school district’s vocal music program. He also gave RYAN an additional $5000. Helping with the presentation is Ward Backus of Ward Backus Collision in Saugerties, who donated to the program, and Larry Siracusano, Bob’s brother and owner of Sawyer Chevrolet in Catskill. (photos by Robert Ford)

Saugerties High School graduate and local comedian Mike Speirs performs.

America’s Got Talent winner Landau Murphy Jr. sings at Sunday night’s concert at Saugerties High School, which drew 1000 attendees.

More than $21,000 was raised for two community causes at a benefit concert in Saugerties Sunday night. Organized by Bob Siracusano, the benefit drew more than 1000 attendees to Saugerties High School.

This year’s Sawyer Motors Foundation fundraiser benefited the Raise Your Awareness About Narcotics (R.Y.A.N) program and the Saugerties choir program. The event featured America’s Got Talent winner Landau Murphy Jr. and local comedian and Saugerties High School graduate Mike Speirs.

This is the second year the foundation has held a concert whose proceeds have gone to programs that support Saugerties students.

The RYAN program is named after Ryan Kelder, who died from an addiction to narcotics. It was begun by his mom, Carole Kelder, who wants to raise community awareness about opioids, heroin, and other narcotics that plague the Saugerties community and threaten the health of the community’s youth.

Prior to the start of the concert Siracusano presented checks of $8000 each to Kelder and Rebecca MacDougall of the Saugerties school district’s vocal music program, and an additional $5000 to the RYAN program.