A&E

Country concert benefits local nonprofits

by Wynce Nolley

Country Music for a Cause features live country music performances to raise funds for local organizations that provide essential services to the community including The Desormeaux Foundation, Faith House and Hearts of Hope.



Rachel and Mark Garber are hosting a fundraiser this Saturday to benefit three local nonprofits that have recently had their funding significantly reduced. Country Music for a Cause features performances from Nashville singer/songwriters Jeff Hyde, Clint Daniels and Brent Anderson and will raise much needed funds for local organizations that provide essential services to the community including The Desormeaux Foundation, Faith House and Hearts of Hope.

The concert is hosted by Mark Garber and his wife Rachel, who put the show together after learning that several local organizations were getting reduced funding this year.

“I had read about how different organizations were getting reduced funding and I wanted to do something about it and raise awareness for three great organizations in our community,” says Rachel Garber. “I thought these three kind of had a common denominator about helping the women in our community and I think

that’s important.”

Several food trucks will be on hand during the event including Blanchard BBQ, The Bus Stop and Bustard’s Custards. No outside beverages or coolers will be allowed, but soft drinks and water will be available free for guests.

Country Music for a Cause takes place on Saturday, July 18, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at LARC’s Acadian Village, located at 200 Greenleaf Drive in Lafayette. Admission to the concert is one item for each organization from their wish lists, which can be found on their respective websites: www.desormeauxfoundation.org ; www.faithhouseacadiana.org ; and www.theheartsofhope.org. Items include things like cleaning supplies, paper goods, baby items, art supplies and more.

Earlier this summer The Independent reported that local non-profit Hearts of Hope was facing a $100,000 financial shortfall in annual funding usually provided by the 15th Judicial District Attorney’s Office to aid in its advocacy for Acadiana’s victims of sexual assault and rape. To read more of the Independent’s coverage of the funding setback click here and here.