West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation Announces Disaster Relief Concert

West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation, United Way,  area churches, and the Loaves and Fishes fund sponsor the Disaster Aid Concert Friday evening, April 25 at 7:30 p.m. at Northside Assembly church, 27 Oil Well Road, Jackson, Tennessee. All of the donations received that night will be used in the local recovery effort. There will be a love offering taken at the concert.

Bobby Hearn of the Loaves and Fishes Fund is helping coordinate this event. "This Disaster Aid Concert will help to rebuild the homes that were destroyed in the February 5 tornado. While most people had insurance, some of homes that were destroyed were uninsured. Most of these were elderly folks living on limited incomes and had canceled their insurance because they did not have the funds to pay for it." 

Randy Pierson, coordinator of church fundraising states, "My heart goes out to our elderly in conditions such as this. Currently some are living with family or still in hotels. There is one case where a gentleman is living in his truck. We will use volunteers to rebuild his and other homes" stated Pierson.

"Northside Assembly was right in the line of the tornado. Lighthouse Pentecostal Church (one block away) meets at Northside Assembly until they are able to get their building rebuilt. Lighthouse was destroyed that night with members inside the building," said Ron Pennel, of Mayor Jerry Gist's office. 

"We greatly appreciate the outpouring of support for this event. The mayor's office and Northside Assembly have really helped to make this event possible," said Frank McMeen, president of the West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for the community to come together in an uplifting environment and share of themselves with others who have lost everything," said Edwin Hayes, executive director of United Way.  "This united effort of Jackson agencies will rebuild or repair homes damaged or destroyed on February 5," stated Hayes.

Admission is free to the concert. For more information, call West Tennessee Foundation at 731-660-8770.