GALION, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—The First United Church of Christ, located at 248 Harding Way West, Galion, is hosting the second in a series of Charity Cause Benefit Concerts on Sunday, November 26, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. The concert will feature the Shawshank Big Band, led by Damian Boyd, as part of the church’s outreach music program.
The free-will donation collected during the concert will be split between the Galion Kiwanis “Kids Christmas Fund” and a special offering for the Tuscarawas Valley School District, which recently experienced a tragic bus crash.
The Galion Kiwanis “Kids Christmas Fund” is an annual fund drive that provides Christmas gifts and necessary clothing for children up to 10 years of age. “At this time, we have at least 91 children identified as needing help this Christmas,” said Brian Treisch, president of the Galion Kiwanis. “We need the help of the community to support this effort.”
The Shawshank Big Band, part of the Mid Ohio Jazz Orchestra, Inc., a 501c3 non-profit organization, plays the great big band music of the Swing Era and features talented musicians from throughout north central Ohio. For this concert, the band is forgoing its portion of the proceeds in light of the recent tragic event in eastern Ohio.
“We hope that a good crowd comes to enjoy this music, dance if they want, and donate generously to these two very worthwhile causes,” said Kiwanis president Treisch.
The next Charity Benefit concert will be held on January 28, 2024, at the First UCC Church. The group benefiting from this concert is MOMS, a mother’s group providing care packages to members of the Armed Forces.