Skeeter Creek returns to Lake George for benefit concert

Popular country band Skeeter Creek, who opened for Marshall Tucker in Lake George last fall, will take a break from their winter tour to perform at the Lake George High School Thursday, Jan. 25. The event is a fundraiser for John Cocozza-Hill, a 23-year-old Lake George graduate and volunteer firefighter who is battling kidney disease.

Johnny, a 2nd Lieutenant in the Lake George Volunteer Fire Department, has suffered a chronic kidney disease since he was a child, and last month, his kidneys failed. He now requires dialysis while waiting for a kidney transplant. According to Fire Chief Jason Berry, Johnny is in his third year of service with the fire company. “John has been a great asset to this department,” says Berry, “He is a hard worker and even now, with all he faces, he continues to be part of meetings and planning and was responding to calls as long as he is able. He may need time off in the near future,” Berry adds, “but we expect to have him back on active duty as soon as the doctors tell him it is okay.”

The Jan. 25 benefit includes a silent auction, basket raffles — the Ladies Auxiliary reports several dozen baskets and gift certificates have been donated so far — #JohnnyStrong bracelet and Go Johnny Go t-shirt sales along with food sales. Concert tickets are $20 and may be purchased at the Lake George Village Hall, 26 Old Post Road, or from members of the Lake George Fire Department and Ladies Auxiliary. Tickets will also be available at the door. The event begins at 7 p.m. Silent auction winners will be announced after the show.

Donations to the John Cocozza-Hill fund may be made at the Lake George Volunteer Fire Department website. In addition, Direct Deposit Redemption Center on Main Street in Warrensburg is accepting donations of returnable cans and bottles for the John Cocozza-Hill fund. Money raised will be used to help defray expenses as John waits for a new kidney.