Center For Cultural Events

Many helped make Gospel concert a success 

To the editor: 

Saturday, 11 July 2009 00:00, The Star

I write representing the Gospel singing group Heaven Bound in connection with the recent Neighbors Helping Neighbors Gospel Concert on June 20 at the new DeKalb Outdoor Theater. There has been a bit of delay in this letter due to multiple unavoidable circumstances. However, we wish the community and area to know that this in no way reflects a lack of deep gratitude, which Heaven Bound has for all those who helped us in this endeavor.

As you may know, our objective in bringing this event together was to deliver a message of hope through Gospel music and, in addition, raise as much money as possible for the seven food banks which operate in DeKalb County as well as St. Martin’s Health Care in Garrett. All proceeds over and above expenses will go to these causes, and we are elated to report that $4,000 will be divided evenly among each of these worthy organizations as a result of this effort.

Heaven Bound wishes first of all to thank the nationally known group The Imperials, our wonderful guests from Nashville, Tenn., for appearing in this event. We were also thrilled to have our fellow Gospel singers, the well-known County Line Quartet, appearing with us along with the Imperials. We felt privileged to sing with these fine artists and we truly appreciate the great job they did.

There are numerous others who need to be thanked. (I hope I don’t miss anyone!) We appreciate the support and help we received from the DeKalb Outdoor Theater board members. We thank Dr. Robert Craig, pastor of First Christian Church of Auburn, for his participation. Our good friend Mike Gerig did a great job as emcee, and we thank him for that. Andrew Van Veld and his talented sound and lighting team from Circle City Audio in Fort Wayne outdid themselves in lending their expertise to help make the concert successful. John Ober performed indispensable help in setting up and tearing down equipment.

Others whom we wish to thank include Craig Lepard from the Flower Pot in Garrett for stage decorations, Dave Kurtz and The Star for wonderful publicity help, as well as Froggy, WBCL and other radio stations for their help in advertising the event. We would be remiss if we failed to mention DeKalb Financial Credit Union and the Christian bookstores in the immediate tri-state area for help in selling tickets, as well as countless friends and businesses who helped spread the word about the concert by word of mouth and displaying posters.

Others who performed very important tasks that allowed the event to move smoothly were Boy Scout Troop 169 with leader Tom Bassett, Mike Sowle and other volunteers who assisted with parking, Kim Burch and her team of volunteers who assisted with tickets at the admission gates, Norm and Brenda Hartman and their crew of volunteers who managed the merchandising tables, The Waterloo Police Department, who provided important security during the evening, Applebee’s and the Auburn House of Pancakes, who sponsored dinner and breakfast for the Imperials, Tim Haynes and the DeKalb County 4-H Club for managing the concessions, and Maury Bonecutter who loaned his antique automobile for advertising on the Auburn town square as well as his motor home to provide a comfortable place for performers.

We also owe our gratitude to two great churches. First United Methodist Church of Auburn and County Line Church of God are to be thanked for their backing and encouragement in this project. Last, but not least by any means, we thank all those who attended the concert, Many people gave over and above the $5 price of admission to help in the above causes. Without all of you good folks out there the Neighbors Helping Neighbors concert would not have been the success that it was.

Heaven Bound has one goal — to serve God by serving people. All of the wonderful cooperation mentioned in this letter goes once again to prove what a great place DeKalb County is and what a great God we serve! God bless all of you, and it is the fervent hope of all who participated in this event that the monies raised will help alleviate some of the difficulties folks in our area are experiencing presently.

In sincere gratitude,

Dale Williams and Heaven Bound

Auburn