Orillia's Derick Lehmann is an Energizer Bunny. He just keeps going and going, organizing parties and events in the city.
He's been organizing parties in Orillia for 10 years, starting in 2014 with the annual Ugly Christmas Sweater Bowling Party at Orillia Bowl, raising money for the The Sharing Place Food Bank.
Last July, he started organizing dances at ODAS park with the Back to the '90s Video Dance Party, with funds going to the Sharing Place. The first one raised $11,000.
Back to the '90s Volume 2 was held last December and it raised more than $14,000 toward local charity toy drives. A third and final '90s party was held in May and raised money - together with a donation from Orillia Home Hardware - to purchase and distribute 40 bicycles to children with the Big Brothers Big Sisters Orillia and District.
Next on the list is the Hawaiian Glow Party DJ dance on July 27 at the ODAS park, which will raise funds for the Green Haven Shelter for Women.
"Derick is one-of-a-kind when it comes to the time he's willing to dedicate to bringing our community together," said Chris Peacock, executive director of The Sharing Place.
"It's amazing what he's been able to do and he doesn't stop. He just cranks them out. He knows how to have fun and create fun," said Peacock.
If you went to Canada Day in Orillia and heard the music, Lehmann organized all the entertainment. He's part of the Orillia Canada Day Committee.
Lehmann also directed the Roots North Music Festival in April, bringing top-notch entertainment to the St. Paul's auditorium as well as organizing bands playing at 20 restaurants and stores across the city, thereby boosting the local economy.
He was even parking cars at the Mariposa Folk Festival on behalf of the Orillia Youth Centre, and he organizes events for the youth centre.
On the Saturday before Halloween, Lehmann hosts the annual Trunk or Treat event at ODAS park, where children come in costume and go car-to-car to get candy and treats. Last year more than 2,000 children came to the event and more than 100 decorated cars participated and handed out treats.
"It was really fun," said Lehmann, 45. "I love Halloween more than Christmas," he said.
"I'm a great believer in experiences over things. I like to create an atmosphere that makes memories for people.
“I just like creating experiences for people to come out and enjoy and have fun and the other part of that is the tremendous amount of money we make for these organizations that need a hand up,” he said.
One of the people at his first Ugly Christmas Sweater Bowling Party was Linda Reid, who is now the executive director of Green Haven Shelter for Women, the recipient of funds from the Hawaiian Glow Party.
"I'm just so grateful for Derick’s efforts to support the various charities in the community and the events. We are so grateful that he chose Green Haven. We are very to have him in the community,” Reid said.
For all his efforts, Lehmann was awarded the Citizen of the Year Award in 2023 from the City of Orillia.
Lehmann, who is a controller for SLM Recycling, works in Shelburne Monday to Friday and returns home every weekend. He's worked for his family business for 16 years.
Before that, he worked in hospitality and as an event planner. While working at SLM Recycling in the office, he found he was missing the action of entertainment, so got back involved in 2014 as a volunteer.
Lehmann's initiation in entertainment came from Orillia District Collegiate and Vocational Institute where he was the audio visual "geek" setting up the speakers and microphone for assemblies.
“A couple of student council reps asked if I would DJ the semi-formal dance. I did that for the first time in Grade 10 and I ended up DJ-ing a lot more student dances,” he said.
Lehman began collecting professional equipment and started his own business as a DJ.
“That ended up putting me through college,” he said.
He was later hired to work at the student centre at Canadore College/Nippising University as the manager of the bar.
“We had entertainment constantly for the students. That’s where I picked up a knack for organizing special events,” he said.
Peacock can't say enough about Lehmann.
"Orillia is a better place because of Derick," he said.
For Hawaiian party tickets go to the website: thebigevent.ca or buy tickets at Alleycats Music and Art at 94 Mississaga St. E. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. The event runs from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.
