Organizers thank heat benefit helpers (02/06/06)

To the Editor:

Music warms homes and hearts. That was the result of the recent Ken Bantz Benefit Performance held at Arts Place, which raised $2,177.00 for supplemental energy assistance and $600.00 for area food banks.

Ken Bantz’s songs tell exceptional stories about family, relationships, life and about hardships people can face, such as the loss of a job or the difficult decisions one must face in figuring out how to make ends meet.

The benefit concert raised awareness for supplemental energy assistance as well as much-needed funds. Supplemental energy assistance programs provide additional funding for area residents in need to help pay utility bills. Ken’s awareness of recent cutbacks in federal funding and rising energy costs stimulated his interest in dedicating his performance as a benefit event. His enthusiasm was contagious.

A silent auction was also conducted to help raise money for area food banks.

Kyle White of Brownstown Electric, Gary Jones Family, Don Denney Family, Ron Freeman of Pak-A-Sak, Jay County REMC, Joe Stutzman of Stoll and Stutzman, Tony Giltner, Angela Reinhart, Darlene Heare, American Red Cross, Ken Bantz, Briggs Hardware, Buffalo Bar and Grill, H. Steed Design, WZZY and Wal-Mart deserve a big round of applause for their generous donations to the auction.

Arby’s, CVS, Domino’s Pizza, Teresa Watters, Lacey Bonvillian, Tiffany Kunkle, Tammy Iliff and Sara Bedwell from Heads Up Studio and Subway kindly donated attendance prizes.

Thanks to all those who warmed our hearts by their assistance and generosity: Mark & Evelyn Arnold, Heidi Bouse, Sue Burk, Virgil Brackman, Don Cole, Don Denney, Miranda Denney, Abby Denney, Holly DuJardin, Christy Elmore, Brian Fravel, Shirley Gruss, Ron & Mary Laux, Kylea Lee, Tetia Lee, Vicki & Carter Leonard, Jason McGraw, John & Missy May, Priscilla McFarland, Billy Paxson, Ron Myers, John & Martha Nill, Jennifer Nixon, Vicki Schuhmacher, Abby Schmiesing, Carla Sibery, Heather Steed, Laura Vogler, Wabash Valley Power Association, Beyond the Gilded Willow, Crossroads Financial Federal Credit Union, First Presbyterian Church, Jay County REMC and a special thank you to Ken Bantz. As for those extraordinary folks who purchased tickets for the concert thank you for helping to keep area residents warm this heating season.

The concert is over but the need continues.

If you are interested in making a donation to Heartlite, People Helping People or other supplemental energy assistance programs please contact Community and Family Services at 260-726-9318.

Keep safe and warm.

Larry Braden, executive director, Community and Family Services; Cindy Denney, director of marketing, Jay County REMC; and Eric Rogers, executive director, Arts Place.[[In-content Ad]]