The Rho Rho Chapter of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity will host Concert for the Kids, a benefit performance to raise money for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital next week.
Headlining the concert is country singer Josh Ward, recipient of the New Male Vocalist of the Year award at the 2013 Texas Regional Radio Music Awards at Shenanigans and Confetti’s Beach Club on Friday, Sept. 27 at 8 p.m.
Tau Kappa Epsilon is optimistic about the benefit’s success, with estimates of more than 1,000 supporters. They hope to raise between $5,000 and $10, 000.
Jack Nelson, the TKE Philanthropic Director, will emcee the event.
“If we can save one life and make a difference – that alone is priceless,” Nelson said.
The St. Jude Hospital offers hope towards finding a cure for childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases without charging their patients a cent. It costs $1.8 million every day to keep St. Jude open with an average of 7,800 active patients visiting each year, according to stjude.org.
TKE President Ryan Miller said that one of the motivations behind choosing to host the concert was to reach out to their peers.
“We wanted to give back to the community and be able to reach {the college} demographic,” Miller said.
Danny Thomas founded St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in 1962 and was a brother in the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity at the University of Toledo. His dream was that “no child should die in the dawn of life.”
Tau Kappa Epsilon has supported the fundraising efforts of St. Jude’s for decades, including honorary brother Elvis Presley. From 2010-11 chapters of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity raised more than $100,000 for St. Jude’s, according to stjude.org.
In addition to Ward, the lineup also features Jodi Booth, Cameron Nelson and Guardrail Damage Ahead, and Jerrett Zoch.