Gift of giving

TIFFIN --- Jamey Leigh is using a gift to give a gift. On Oct. 21, Leigh, a local singer and performer, will headline a Taylor Swift tribute event at Copper Mare Ranch - 6090 SR 53 - and said she is planning to donate her portion of the profits to a local family battling leukemia. Leigh said she is neighbors with the Butzier's, a local family whose daughter, Chloe, was diagnosed in June 2023 with leukemia. According to the Facebook page Chloe's Leukemia Journey, Chloe was diagnosed with AML and T/myeloid MPAL leukemia. Leigh said the Butziers "were so welcoming and helpful to us" when she and her family moved nearby. "We wanted to return their kindness." Leigh's fundraising idea began when she was in Washington State on a backpacking trip while Taylor Swift was performing there. The Taylor Swift audience-induced earthquake occurred when she was there, Leigh said, and she was influenced by "the hype of it." She then posted on Facebook that she was interested in doing a Taylor Swift tribute performance, Leigh said. She was contacted by Heather and Grant Fatzinger, owners of Copper Mare Ranch, who suggested the ranch serve as the venue for the show. Fatzinger said having Copper Mare host the show was a perfect fit, since the venue already has some seating and a speaker system. The Taylor Swift tribute "is our first concert," Fatzinger said. He added that Copper Mare may be open to other concerts in the future. According to an event flyer, the concert will take place at 7 p.m. Oct. 21 at Copper Mare Ranch, 6090 SR 53, with doors opening at 5 p.m. Approximately 1,000 tickets will be available, and are $5 at the door. There will be limited bleacher seating and guests should bring their own chairs. There is a $5 cooler charge, and Rocket Donkey Diner will be on-site for the concert. Leigh said she began performing about a year ago. "It's my hobby," she said. "I do this for fun and I can help," she said.