Concert to benefit Limestone area senior organizations
A country music concert benefiting local seniors and nonprofit organizations that assist them will be held at VFW Post 4694, located at 317 Martin Luther in Mexia. The event will take place Saturday, March 14, with doors to open at 6 and continue through 10 p.m.
Admission cost will be $15 at the door, with cash only requested. Advance ticket sales are ongoing at the VFD Post during normal business hours for $12.50 each.
The concert will feature The Ragland Trio, in addition to Danny Ragland performing the hits of Willie Nelson. Ragland sings, while David Sartor covers lead guitar, harmonica and contributes vocals. Rick Roper plays bass guitar. Ragland’s “Nelson act” goes over much to the delight of those that attend, according to organizers. Ragland was a former teacher at Marlin ISD, having played gigs around the area before. “He’s never played at the VFW Hall here,” Organizer Orma Williams said speaking of Ragland before highlighting Sartor’s harp skills. “Oh, it is sweet.”
The event is being organized by Don Tanner and Williams, who are personally sponsoring the event to get it going.They’ve been preparing the event since November, with both investing personal time and funding to get the concert going for area residents and seniors.
“I would love to help everyone that has a need,” Williams said, highlighting individuals and local seniors in need. “This is a little different in that we plan for it to benefit individuals through organizations, and not the organizations themselves.”
She’s discussed that part of it with each organizations’ representatives, working to ensure the money will be spend on those truly in need. Organizations that will benefit include the Limestone County Senior Services, VFW Post 4694, the Family and Consumer Science Branch of the local AgriLife Extension Office, and the Texas Department of Health and Human Services’ Foster Grandparent Volunteer Program. Williams is a member of the foster program, which includes outreach from age 60 plus seniors as mentors for children enrolled in elementary at Mexia and Groesbeck ISD. The program is also offered at local libraries.
“There are usually anywhere from one to five kids that teachers will choose,” says Williams, who volunteers with the program. She spoke of children that may be shy, or that have difficulty adjusting to a new school or class, adding, “We are mentors for the children. We work with kids all over different classrooms. We focus our attention on the children that are assigned to us.”
“Bring your dancin’ boots!” Williams said, accrediting Tanner with the original idea for the event. Proceeds will be stored at a “Make My Day Fund” to be set up at Citizens State Bank, with a transparent accountability process to disperse funds to each organization. Food will be served during the event from the VFW Post, with those sales to return to the post.
“We’ve gotten a great response putting up posters, so we’re hoping to have a great crowd,” Williams said. “The dance floor is the largest one in Mexia. Let’s have some fun and it will go to a good cause.”
To contribute, make checks out to the “Make my Day Fund” and send to P.O. Box 475 Groesbeck, Texas, 76642. For more information, call 254-562-9270 and leave a message. All calls will be returned. The establishment is smoke-free, and liquor, while permitted, must be in a container other than the original.
