Hands Across Harrisburg concert to benefit tornado victims
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Plans are under way for the multi-stage benefit concert Hands Across Harrisburg to assist victims of the April 29 tornado. The concert will be held from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. April 14 at the Saline County Fairground.
Armbands for the event can be purchased for $10 on the day of the event, or beforehand on the Internet site www.handsacross.net. All proceeds will directly benefit victims of the tornado.
"We want to take the money we get and give it to the people who need it most," said event organizer Patrick Beasley.
The event is being put together by Beasley, of Pittsburg, and Thomas Chad Mills, of Stonefort, who together founded the nonprofit organization, Southern Illinois Relief. Beasley, who is a musician himself, said he wanted to use the local contacts he has made playing music to help storm victims.
When he decided to organize a benefit concert, he had no idea how big the response would be to the event.
"We've got an overwhelming response from local bands," said Beasley.
He said about 30 local bands will play throughout the day, along with Lathan Moore and Rick Monroe, out of Nashville, Tenn.
In addition, All-American Pro Wrestling contacted Beasley about participating in the event. They will present several wrestling matches from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the 4-H building at the fairgrounds. The first of those matches will be between Jay Spade of Team XXX and AAPW Tag Team Champion Matt Cage of Team Overkill.
Beasley said that in addition to food and other vendors, there will also be a story tent set up where people can come share their tornado stories with others.
Beasley and the other event organizers are hoping to see a big crowd at the event, which they hope will not only raise money to benefit tornado victims, but also provide some entertainment to a community that has been through so much.
Anyone who would like to donate to the event may send a check to Southern Illinois Relief, P.O. Box 116, Pittsburg, Ill. 62974, and anyone interested in volunteering at the event should contact Beasley at (618) 614-0248 or check the Internet site www.handsacross.net or the event's Facebook page, Hands Across Harrisburg. Donations of $500 or more will be honored as an event sponsor.