Benefit Concert at the Granville Arts Center
On Sunday, January 10 there was a benefit concert designed to raise funds for the victims of the tornado that devastated parts of Garland and Rowlett on December 26. The Salvation Army was to be the recipient of the funds and they were present with their uniformed hierarchy and a band that played at the entrance, welcoming guests.
The event had been touted by NBC News anchors for several days prior, so we assumed there would be an overflowing crowd. The event was scheduled to begin at 2:30 pm and opened with a prayer by Thelma Wells, popular Christian author and speaker. Her 10 year old granddaughter followed with the Star Spangled Banner, sung a Capella. The crowd was sparse, with no more than 200 individuals spread out in an auditorium that would seat 640. It was a very enjoyable and enlightening program put together by Vicki Gillespie.
The concert was billed as a “Sara Beth Concert”, and that young lady was very professional and enjoyable, but we thought that the pastor from Sunnyvale Baptist Church really stole the show. Wearing blue jeans and holding a guitar, Michael Bridges stepped up to the microphone and virtually knocked our proverbial socks off! He said he had been given 11 minutes to perform his medley of
inspirational songs, and it was over far too soon. His entire message was delivered in song, and “I Rise” is one we’ll remember for a very long time. So appropriate, and so beautifully sung!
A blues group led by Garland’s own Captain Tom Watkins entertained us with some fun and funky numbers, and a very excellent video presentation showed the path of destruction created by the tornado. Garland’s District 2 Councilwoman, Anita Goebel, a professional photographer, had taken many photos as she toured the the path of the tornado. She had her favorite photo enlarged and printed on metal and contributed that piece to be auctioned off. When all was said and done Goebel had agreed to print a second photo identical to the first, and raised $2,100.
The Salvation Army had set up their buckets in the lobby and were taking donations throughout the event. There were sponsors and one or two of them had offered matching money, so maybe the concert raised more than one would expect from such a small crowd.
Sara Beth also announced she would be donating all the proceeds from the sales of her T shirts and DVDs to the charity, a gesture in keeping with all the generosity that was poured out by our citizens during those days following the day after Christmas tornado.
Thank you to all the speakers, performers, organizers and sponsors of this very enjoyable and touching event.
Nancy Ghirla
Social