Gone, But Not Forgotten

When it came to lending a hand to those around him, David Leahy .

So it’s certainly fitting that when the community he so frequently aided was asked to return the favor, they also exceeded expectations.

A beef and beer fundraiser held in Leahy’s memory last Saturday raised about $60,000—more than double what organizers had anticipated, said Kevin Loftus, a longtime friend of Leahy and one of the organizers.

“I thought we’d be very fortunate to get ($30,000),” said Loftus. “It just shows how Moorestown responds to a tragedy.”

Leahy died in November after falling awkwardly from a tailgate in the Poconos, leaving behind his two adolescent daughters, Melissa and Megan, who are in 12th and 7th grade respectively. Proceeds from the fundraiser will go into a college trust fund for the girls.

“You could see how much the community loved him,” said Leahy’s older brother, Jack.

The room they booked at was only supposed to hold about 150 people, Jack said, somewhat conspiratorially. At one point, organizers estimated there were roughly 175 people in the room—and they sold 225 tickets.

“It was definitely standing room only,” said Jack, adding that in the days leading up to the event there was a waiting list for tickets about 25 people long. “You ever heard of a beef and beer with a waiting list?”

Tickets to the event were $50, but Loftus said what pushed the fundraising over the top was the success of the live and silent auctions. People were bidding far more than the items were worth. A $250 Nordstrom gift card, for example, went for $350, he said.

“It was just off-the-charts," Jack said. "The next morning, Megan came up to me and said, ‘Can you believe we raised $60,000?’ I said, ‘No, I can’t' ... That’s two years of college.”

Loftus said the organizers have discussed holding an event annually to raise money for the trust because, between two girls, that’s eight years of college. Jack mentioned talks of a golf outing in the spring or summer.

“I’m at a loss for words for the people of Moorestown,” he said. “These people—I don’t know … That’s why people showed up. They remember what David did for the community.”

If you'd like to donate, send a check payable to "Leahy Children Educational Trust Fund,” 1903 Taylor’s Lane, Cinnaminson, NJ 08077.