Also, Samaritan Caregivers scores with concert
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Ivy Tech Kokomo is promising an evening of unforgettable fun when “Dueling Pianos International” returns Friday, Sept. 20, for the Kokomo Scholarships for Student Success fundraiser.
Two sharp-witted and incredibly talented musicians will be on hand to entertain in the high-energy, all-request, sing-along, clap-along, rock ’n’ roll show designed to raise funds to support students throughout the six Hoosier counties in Ivy Tech’s Kokomo Service Area.
“After three previous visits here, the Dueling Pianos event has become so popular,” said Kelly Karickhoff, executive director for Resource Development for the service area that includes Cass, Fulton, Howard, Miami, Pulaski, and Tipton counties. “We’re thrilled to be bringing them back for another night where the audience is just as much a part of the show as the entertainers.”
Karickhoff said this year’s goal is to raise $55,000 in student support funding. “We invite the community to join us in raising these funds to support the education of deserving Ivy Tech students,” she said. “Together, we provide funding that will help our students achieve their educational and career dreams.”
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. in Hingst Hall on the Ivy Tech Kokomo Campus on Sept. 20 with the program starting promptly at 6. The event will feature “Dueling Pianos,” dinner catered by The Angry Donkey, a cash bar, and a live scholarship “auction.”
Tickets for the Celebration for Student Success are $50 each and may be purchased at https://link.ivytech.edu/2024DuelingPianos or by calling Miriam Thomas of the Ivy Tech Foundation at 765-252-5500. Tickets will be available until Thursday, Sept. 12, unless they sell out sooner.
“As every key is needed for a pianist to make music, education is the key to successful futures for our students and for our communities,” Karickhoff said. “The Scholarships for Student Success events give participants many opportunities throughout the evening to make a difference in the life of an Ivy Tech student through their financial support.”
Sponsors already confirmed for this year’s edition of “Dueling Pianos” include Ascension St. Vincent Kokomo, Berry IT, Chariot Automotive Group, City of Kokomo, Clayborn Studios, Cole Hardwood, Community First Bank of Indiana, Community Howard Regional Health, Duke Energy, RD Filip, First Farmers Bank & Trust, 4C Health, Haynes International, Howard County Government, Huston Electric, Indiana University Kokomo, Johnson Agency, Kokomo Common Council, Kokomo Post/Larison Media, Kokomo School Corporation, Bailey McKay Photography, Miami County Economic Development Authority, Miller & Miller Auction Company, Missing Piece, NIPSCO, Joe Reed, Nancy Rhodes, Security Federal Savings Bank, Silver Birch of Kokomo, Smith Financial, Solidarity Community Federal Credit Union, Soupley’s Wine and Spirits, StarPlus Energy, Tyson Foods, and The Wyman Group.
“Whether you can endow a scholarship, fund a sponsorship, or buy a ticket to the event, we hope you will join us,” Karickhoff said. “It’s casual attire for a fun evening. All proceeds go to scholarships for Ivy Tech students so bring cash to requests songs and come ready to play along with the hilarious challenges that are part of the event.”
Those who can’t attend may still help students by donating at ivytech.edu/givenow or calling Karickhoff at 765-252-5501.
Samaritan Caregivers scores with Gospel concert
The Samaritan Caregivers held its 10th annual Gospel Concert on Aug. 18, and about 200 music aficionados gathered at The One Church on South Washington Street to enjoy an evening of entertaining tunes.
The program must have struck a chord, as more than $6,000 was raised for the nonprofit through a free will offering. Samaritan Caregivers executive director Jamey Henderson was overjoyed by the response.
“It was such a generous audience!” said Henderson. “And thanks to sponsorship from All-Pro Plumbing and Stout Funeral Homes & Crematory, as well as help from Hampton Inn & Suites and The Yoke Social Table, all expenses were covered, so all the offering will be used to give help and hope to seniors!”
The concert was organized by Matt Gerhart, who was joined by locally recognized crooners Cherresa Lawson, Sally Duke, Lisa Owens, and Heather Schimmelpfennig to warm up the crowd for this year’s headlining act, Nashville recording artist Josh Townsend.
Townsend and Gerhart teamed up for an impromptu duet to close the show that Henderson said “brought down the house.”
The concert was streamed live on Facebook, and replays can be viewed on the Samaritan Caregivers page.
Samaritan Caregivers works to help the elderly, frail, and disabled to continue living at home while maintaining dignity and quality of life by providing respite care and other simple tasks for people who are providing full time caregiving for a family member or loved one. It also delivers food to homebound seniors and the disabled on a monthly basis.
For additional information about Samaritan Caregivers, visit www.samaritancaregivers.org or the Samaritan Caregivers Facebook page.