THIRD KATRINA BENEFIT CONCERT

VOLUNTEERS HELPING VOLUNTEERS – A PERFECT MATCH

WHO: Two volunteer groups --

The Blawenburg Band and the Long-Term Hunnicane Relief Committee (LTHR)

Long-Term Hurricane Relief Committee (LTHR): Shortly after the devastating destruction that resulted along the Gulf Coast following hurricanes Katrina and Rita, this group of committed community members formed LTHR and knew they were in for the “long haul.” Nearly three years since the hurricanes hit, the urgent needs of our southern neighbors have faded considerably from public view, and the flow of donations and volunteers has also dropped off. Yet, the results of the disaster have not ended. Under the auspice of the Mercer Lutheran Mission Cluster, the LTHR committee continues to provide relief by sending reconstruction work groups; leaders to help staff Camp Noah, a summer camp for traumatized children’s; provide medical service related to animal-rescue; and send financial aid to the Gulf Coast.

Since the committee’s conception, volunteers – from high school teens to retirees -- have continued to travel south to bring “on-site” help. Servant trips to the Gulf Coast during the recent months have been:

DATE:	VOLUNTEERS SPONSORED BY:	GULF COAT LOCATION:
June 2007	St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Highstown	Biloxi, MS Reconstruction Work
June 2007	Prince of Peace Lutheran Church Princeton	Long Beach, MS Reconstruction Work
June 2007	Prince of Peace Lutheran Church Princeton	Long Beach, MS Staff for Camp Noah
October 2007	St. Mark United Methodist Church Hamilton, NJ	Biloxi, MS Reconstruction Work
January 2008	Abiding Presence Lutheran Church Ewing And Crossroads Ministry The College of New Jersey	Bayou LaBatre, AL Reconstruction Work

Other local churches participating in LTHR efforts include St. Bartholomew Lutheran Church, Trenton; Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, Hamilton; St. Mark Lutheran Church, Hamilton; and Christ the King Lutheran Church; Kendall Park. Plans are currently underway to send another work team to help with reconstruction work during the summer of 2008 as well as another group of leaders to help staff Camp Noah if the camp is held again this year.

LTHR has also sponsored several fund-raising efforts. These have provided money that was sent directly to the Gulf Coast. Three highly successful events have been the What’s Cookin: Gulf Coast Gourmet Meets Garden State (Grub) Cuisine cookbook, a bell-choir concert, and the annual Katrina Benefit Concerts. Every dollar secured from fund-raising events has been sent directly to Pastors in Slidell, LA; Long Beach, MS; Biloxi, MS; Mobile, AL; and Ocean Springs, MS. They, in turn, have used the money to support the needs of people in their respective, local communities.

THE BLAWENBURG BAND: The Blawenburg Band is dedicated to bringing the joy of music to the community. Formed in 1890, they are New Jersey’s oldest community band. The Band, under the direction of Dr. Jerry Rife, has 76 active, members of all ages – and all volunteers. Typically, the group plays around 35 concerts each year including their gala Anniversary Concert – an annual gift to the community.

Nearly half of the Band’s concerts are given in nursing homes and retirement centers, thus bringing music to those who can no longer go out to hear live music. The remaining concerts are held in performance halls, public parks, parades and other community gathering places – both indoors and out.

Concerts are presented in the famous John Phillip Sousa style and always include marches by this well-known march king – well-known ones as well as others rarely heard. At least one overture is featured and tributes are frequently part of programs. Likewise, national music will always be heard.

This year the band’s summer schedule includes, in addition to the Third Katrina Benefit Concert, concerts at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, the Hopewell Memorial Day Parade, the Montgomery Boy Scout Strawberry Festival, an evening concert at the Princeton Shopping Center, the Yardley Community Center’s 4^th of July Celebration, the Griggstown Reformed Church Harvest Home Celebration, and several appearances at outdoor-concert series such as the Hopewell Gazebo, and Weeden Park in Lawrenceville.

The Blawenburg Dixieland Band, a subset of the larger group, performs both as part of appearances with the parent group as well as stand-alone gigs. Both the community and the Dixie bands will be play during the Katrina benefit concert. 

Additional information can be found at www.blawenburgband.org

SPECIFICS FOR THE THIRD KATRINA BENEFIT CONCERT;

The concert is held to raise funds to benefit Gulf Coast residents who survived hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

l When -- Sunday afternoon, June 22^nd

l What time -- 5:30 PM

l Where -- German American Club, 215 Uncle Pete’s Road, Yardville, NJ

l Price -- Free-will offering (Write checks for: Lutheran Mission Cluster, Katrina Recovery Fund)

Dinner is available to purchase that day from 1:00 until 4:30 prior to the concert.

Prices range from $10 to $17 with a children’s menu from $ 4 - $5.

Cash only; no credit cards accepted.
No reservations needed.

For people who cannot attend the concert but want to help, financial support will be appreciated. They should send a check to:

Mercer County Lutheran Mission Cluster, Katrina Fund

14 Carnation Place, Lawrenceville, NJ  08648