By BECKY THOMAS
Staff Reporter
In response to the devastation left after the earthquake in Haiti, local residents are banding together to help.
Cheney Helping Haiti, a benefit concert and silent auction, will take place Friday, Feb. 5 at Cheney City Hall from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m.
The event was the brainchild of lifelong resident Heidi Monter, who said she felt driven to help after watching the coverage of the Jan. 12 quake that left hundreds of thousands dead and countless others homeless.
“I think everybody feels like they want to help, they just don't know how,” she said, so she decided to organize an event.
Money raised from admission, donations and the silent auction will go to the American Red Cross to help support their aid efforts in Haiti. The Cheney Events Association, formerly the Cheney Rodeo Association, is presenting the event. Eastern Washington University Circle K is also helping.
Monter said that the response so far was very positive.
“I haven't heard a ‘no' yet, honestly,” she said. “Everybody that I've called has gone above and beyond what I've asked them to do.”
Area artist Richard Warrington agreed to donate a sculpture for the auction and Domino's Pizza will donate pizzas to be sold for additional donations. Monter said several other businesses, including Rosa's, Mitchell's and Safeway along with area churches have agreed to help.
Miss Cheney Rodeo 2010, Kylie Kooistra, is also helping out and has solicited the help of her sisters in the Alpha Xi Delta sorority at EWU.
“I've been here for four years so Cheney's basically a home to me,” she said, adding that she planned to put up fliers on campus to spur interest from EWU students.
Shayne Rammler and the Dark Horse Band will perform country and variety music, and Monter said she was hoping to secure one or two more bands for the event. The silent auction will go on until 12:30 a.m., and Monter said people don't need to be present if they win an item. She said auction items and volunteers are still needed; to help call Monter at 559-5124 or email [email protected]. She said updates would be posted at http://www.cheneyrodeo.com under “Events.”
She stressed that no one will be turned away from the event, and encouraged people to give what they can afford.
“I think it's just one of those times where everybody needs to step up and forget about borders,” she said. “Forget about that; we're all fellow man and help out where you can.”
Becky Thomas can be reached at [email protected].
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