Earth Angels Believe Foundation hosts successful fundraiser

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email
Print
Lucky House seen performing at The Chance.

POUGHKEEPSIE – Hundreds turned out to support Earth Angels Believe Foundation (EABF) at a benefit concert at The Chance Theatre in Poughkeepsie Sunday afternoon.

Featuring performances by Fred Zeppelin, Lucky House, Sirsy, and the Jason Gisser Band, attendees raised close to $3,000 to help the EABF.  All of the musicians donated their time to help the cause as well.  A variety of donated and baskets were auctioned off.  Some of the performers were selling CDs, shirts and other merchandise with a portion of the proceeds being donated to EABF.

Gina Sevigny is the president of EABF and was pleased with the event.  “Everyone here helped us raise money that assists local families and individuals that are facing crisis or financial hardship,” said Sevigny who is an elementary school teacher in Putnam County. According to Sevigny, the EABF accepts requests for assistance via a form on their website and the board reviews each of them and decides how the funds are distributed.

One of the acts on stage is the husband and wife team of Melanie Krahmer and Rich Libutti performing as SIRSY.  Krahmer, known for the energy she brings to the stage as the lead singer and drummer of the band is a two-time cancer survivor.  Krahmer said “Cancer affects everyone and you can’t stop fighting for a cure.”

Sevigny has also been affected by the disease.  Her mother, the late Rose Marie Emerson, died from breast almost two decades ago.  Emerson was an employee of Scenic Hudson and many of her friends and colleagues referred to her as an “Earth Angel” and that led to the foundation’s name.  Since 2000, EABF has been a major presence at “Relay for Life” and has raised more than $250,000 for Relay.  More recently, EABF has branched out to raise funds at their own events to help them fulfill their mission of helping those facing the disease.  The Shamrock Association, a private social club in Poughkeepsie sent more than a dozen members to the benefit.  Club member Lori Byrnes is credited with getting her fellow members to support the cause.  Bynes lost her mother to cancer nine years ago.  She had battled four bouts of cancer over her 56-year life.  “Insurance doesn’t cover all of the costs associated with cancer,” said Bynes.  People lose time from work because of cancer and that places a huge burden on people.  Eath Angels helps cover the gap and the Shamrock is proud to help out.  It’s what we do.”

More information about the EABF can be found at https://www.earthangelsbelieve.com/.  The website is also where the “donation request” form can be downloaded for submission.




Popular Stories