Approximately 1,800 people piled into the La Porte Civic Auditorium on Saturday night to simultaneously jam out and combat a serious problem. The Bethany Lutheran Church of La Porte County hosted a Country Christmas Concert featuring country music superstar Clint Black. All proceeds from the concert go toward suicide prevention and battling drug abuse.
Dennis Meyer, who has been the Bethany Lutheran Church pastor since 1987, said that about a year ago the church leaders were discussing the biggest issues in the La Porte community, namely drug abuse and suicide. After sponsoring a Randy Travis concert five years ago, they decided it would be a good idea to bring another artist to Northwest Indiana.
“Clint Black just sort of rose to the top of the cream of the crop because of his talent and his interest in doing things to benefit small towns,” Meyer said. “We told him it was a benefit concert to prevent drug abuse and suicide and we were able to come to an agreement and we got him here.”
Meyer said the church was able to make ticket prices very affordable, as tickets started at $30 with a group rate of $20 per person available. Portage High School graduate Lexi Elisha was the opening act.
Carrie Garwood of Bethany Church and Meyer agree that Black has a genuine interest in helping small cities.
“He really has a heart for it,” Garwood said. “He’s back stage saying, ‘I really hope this is successful for you.’”
All of the profits were split between the La Porte School Corporation and the La Porte County Police Department to aid those two organizations with their suicide intervention and drug prevention programs.
The theme of the concert was “save a life,” promoting La Porte Mayor Blair Milo to issue a proclamation dubbing Dec. 1, 2012 “Save a Life Day” in the city of La Porte.
“She’s a great leader for our community,” Garwood said. “Thanks to Mayor Milo for wanting to step up and help and thanks to Bethany Church for being the type of faith community that wants to do something outrageous like this for the cause.”
In addition to the 1,800 people who purchased tickets to the concert, about 100 volunteers donated their time to help make the event a success.
“It really takes a community to make a difference,” Garwood said. “It’s great to see the folks here that are willing to come to the concert and donate to the cause and enjoy a great artist and give back to your town and try to make a difference.”
Meyer is on board with the concept of promoting good news in La Porte County.
“I want to compliment you guys (LaPorteCountyLife.com) for what you’ve done,” he said. “You’ve been really good bringing significant and positive news about what’s going on in the area and I appreciate that a lot. We appreciate the positive nature of how you’ve gotten things out.”
Click here for a full photo gallery from the concert!!!
Photos taken by Richard Warner of Visual Impressions Photography & LaPorteCountyLife.com