Concerts for Tornado Victims

 

Bone Student_Center

Photo by Ryan Martin.


As people try to rebuild their lives after the devastating tornados and storms of November 2013, help has come in many forms from many people. 

On January 29th the Grammy award winning band Chicago will be performing a concert for the victims of the central Illinois tornados, as well as those who worked to help support the victims of the tornados. 

The concert, hosted at the U.S. Coliseum, will be completely free of charge thanks to a sponsorship from Bloomington based Country Financial. 

“This concert gives those affected by the November tornados a free night of music.” Fanette Singer, senior vice president of Marketing, said. “It’s important for us, as a community, to continue to support those who are still rebuilding and picking up the pieces.”

Tickets for the concert are limited to four per household, and are available on a first come first served basis. They are available through ticketmaster.com or the U.S. Coliseum box office. 

“The band wanted to do something special for the people of Central Illinois who have suffered any type of hardship related to the tornados back on November 17. The top state and local political leaders and civic groups share the same goal and will join together to help make this a special night.” Peter Schivarelli, Chicago’s manager, said. 

Also coming to the McLean County area to help support the victims of the tornados is classic rock band REO Speedwagon. 

This will be the second fundraising concert that REO Speedwagon has put on in the last few months to benefit the victims of last years devastating November storms. 

In December REO Speedwagon raised around $400,000 for the victims of the Washington  tornadoes as a part of their Rock to the Rescue charity show that was hosted at the U.S. Coliseum.

“I am Illinois born and bred.” Kevin Cronin, REO Speedwagon singer/guitarist, said. “REO Speedwagon is an Illinois band. The word ‘Illinois’ is music to me. The utter devastation and human suffering in Washington, IL and the surrounding areas is heartbreaking. I believe that we need to take care of our own… the people of Illinois are our own, and we are theirs.”

The money raised from the show will go towards the Rock to the Rescue charity, which will distribute the funds to Midwest Food Bank, Peoria Citizens Committee for Economic Oppurtunity, Tazwood Community Services, Toys for Tots, and the Washington Community Bank in care of the City of Washington Tornado Relief Fund. 

The upcoming REO Speedwagon show slated for February 6th at 7:30pm at the Illinois State Bone Student Center is being moved to Friday, June 27, 2014.

 Tickets for the originally scheduled February 6th show will be honored on Friday, June 27th, 2014, and tickets are on sale now for the June show, which will still raise funds for Central Illinois communities that were affected by the devastating tornadoes.

 Tickets for the show can be purchased online through ticketmaster.com or through the phone by calling 800-745-3000. Tickets will also be available at the Braden Auditorium box office located in the Illinois State Bone Student Center. Tickets range in price from $30 to $60, with a $10 discount for Illinois State students. 

Those who can’t make it to the show, but would still like to donate to the Rock to the Rescue Charity can do so through its website at wwww.rocktotherescue.net/donate/