Tehachapi to go all out to raise money for Ukraine

It starts with a concert at The Aspen Builders Inc. Activity Center at 410 W. D St. on April 24 from 2 to 6 p.m. The cost is $25 for tickets, which should be purchased in advance at The Loop newspaper office, 206 S. Green St., Alta One in Albertsons or the Stallion Springs General Store at 27750 Stallion Springs Dr.

Tickets will also be available at the door if it is not sold out. The concert is the volunteer efforts of four bands, including Grievance, a Southern/Classic and Country Rock band from The Antelope Valley area; Tehachapi local, Ryan Sillifant, who sings blues and Americana and is proficient on guitar, drums, piano and bass; Mean Gene Band or MGB a fun, powerhouse, wide variety ROCK and Pop Band and featuring Beachwood Recording Artist; and James Lee Stanley, singer/songwriter who has over 35 albums released and performs nationally. Fiddler's Crossing is donating the sound system and Ryan Sillifant who is also a sound engineer will be mixing sound.

We are thrilled to announce that Pepsico is donating soda which will be for sale. Also for sale is an assortment of chips, donated by Frito Lay; LCB, Tehachapi's first craft brewery has donated four cases of beer; Tehachapi Wine and Cattle Company has donated and will be offering their delicious Sangria. There will also be hot dogs for sale. Additionally, we will have an opportunity drawing for a basket of over $600 worth of gift cards and a limited edition print. So, you can eat, drink and be merry. You can dance, enjoy the music and generally enjoy an afternoon with friends while you are helping our town show its support for the people of Ukraine.

The Rotary Club of Tehachapi will be responsible for all income and will be sending every dime to Ukraine. Rotary has a 95 Rating on Charity Navigator because money goes to the cause not to overhead. Tehachapi Valley Recreation & Park District have generously donated staff time and the beautifully renovated gym for this event.

We need your support to make this a real representation of who we are in Tehachapi. I have always felt the caring, generous nature of my friends and neighbors here. What is happening in Ukraine is horrible and it will take a lot of money to care for refugees. Even if they can return home, it is going to take a fortune to restore the massive destruction caused to their country. Tehachapians have the biggest heart so please join us with your support.

If you can't go to the concert but would like to offer financial support, you can send a check to Rotary Club of Tehachapi Foundation, P.O. Box 897, Tehachapi, CA 93581 and mark URKRAINE in the description line. Or you can simply donate at our GoFundMe page which is http://www.gofundme.com/f/humanitarian-concert-for-ukraine

Write to [email protected] for more information.