Collin was also inspiration for Girl Scout Troop 46977 to create a concert that would serve as a fund-raiser for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
This is the second year the troop has hosted Collin’s Concert. Last year the troop had a good turnout and raised a significant amount of money for its cause.
“It was really rewarding,” Crystal Squires said about the first concert. “We had no idea how many people to expect but we raised over $800 and we were just amazed.”
This year, the concert will feature at least 20 acts. Local students from sixth grade to 21 years old will be singing, performing in bands and entertaining audience members beginning at 4 p.m. The troop had a dress rehearsal for the concert May 26.
“We’re looking forward to raising a lot of money for a good cause,” Harold Houchin, a member of the band Pal Co., said at the rehearsal. “We’ve always been interested in doing charity concerts.”
Pal Co., which is made up of five Bethel-Tate students, will perform several of their songs at the concert.
Kim and Mike Eckel, who own Vocal Tracks, a sound equipment and recording company, were also at the dress rehearsal to set up the sound equipment they donated to the troop for the concert. Kim Eckel said that last year the troops were lacking some equipment that they were able to help with this year.
Bands and performers tested the equipment out May 26 and practiced their routine for the concert. Squires said they have more musical diversity this year, and she is hoping the concert will be bigger than its inaugural year.
There will be no cover charge for the concert. There will be a raffle, concessions and guests will be able to make donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital during the concert.
“It’s for a great cause so we hope (people) will come out for great music and hope they’ll come with a giving heart,” Squires said.