Last year, I held a benefit concert at Central Park Plaza in downtown Valpo for my mother, Reva Hauber. In the past few years, she has been a victim of breast cancer, a double mastectomy, medical negligence, a massive heart attack, and most recently a stroke, leaving her severely disabled and unable to work
I held the benefit concert to aid in her payment of expensive physical therapy, as she was terminated from her employer after her absence from work was extended. Last year's concert was in June and it was in the 40's; a freezing day by June's standards. We did well all things considered, but physical therapy still looms on the horizon.
I am hosting yet another concert this year on August 9th from 5pm-10pm at the same location and I will also have a table set up for Dayspring Women's Center to promote the great things they do for the community.
This year we will have two of the hottest and most entertaining bands in the area including "New Groove" of H.Y.P.E. Productions Chicago, and "The Diggity", a jam band/new wave/reggae fusion ensemble which was also the headlining act last year. It is an all ages show that will also have a magic act performing twice throughout the evening for children of any age, as well as face painters for anyone that wants it.
There will be food provided, as the "Hungry" food truck and the "Early Bird" vegan and vegetarian food trucks will be camped out on Lafayette Street to treat my guests. Who could forget to mention that Valpo Velvet, a resident of Lafayette Street events, will be stationed as well to serve a scoop or two to the August concertgoers. There will also be beer. LOTS of beer. I will be serving dozens of kegs of Coors Light, Miller Light, Pabst Blue Ribbon, Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy, and Redd's apple ale to quench the thirst of the sun-soaked fans. Believe it or not, there is more! I will also be holding a raffle for the following items: A brand new in-the-box Xbox One gaming console, a Big Screen TV, and a full size Kitchenaid mixer, as well as a silent auction for items to be named, and a 50/50 raffle. A motorcycle poker-run will be held beforehand, with the final stop named as the venue, and the first and second prizes for the poker run are also a big screen TV to each. There will also be plenty of glow bracelets and necklaces for sale to really let central park come alive in the night air. Children 5 and under are allowed to come for free, children 6-10 are $5, and anyone over the age of 10 is $10. A small price for a great cause, and an amazing party. There will also be an after party for adults only at 10:30pm at Franklin House with live music and drink specials until the bar closes.
I would like to maybe talk in person or on the phone to get the word out about what could possibly be the best party Valpo has ever seen, and show the city what can happen when people come together. All of this is being funded out of my own pocket personally. I have no corporate sponsors, nor are there other sponsors otherwise besides a donation from Franklin House, so getting the word out is extremely important to me. Please aid me in spreading my message and allowing me to reach out to the community in which I have so much trust and hope. I also have posters and other correspondence if you would like them to be forwarded to you as well to aid in my goal. A portion of this year's profits will also be donated to the American Stroke Foundation so that they can help people who have been affected similarly to my mother.