Spirits are high at Island Elderly Housing (IEH) as residents and staff look forward to the second annual Songwriters Benefit Concert at the Tabernacle on June 29.
The show begins at 7:30 p.m. and features performances by Willy Mason, Lexie Roth, Jemima James, Lilah Larson, Rose Guerin, Phil daRosa, Amanda Palmer and Cliff Eberhardt. Pulitzer-Prize winning author Geraldine Brooks will also speak at the event.
Island Elderly Housing was founded in 1977 to provide quality affordable, independent living for the elderly and disabled population of the Island. The organization currently houses 165 residents in individual units across 18 buildings.
Dorothy Young, executive director of IEH, said the concert is the main event the group hosts all year. Island Elderly Housing introduced it last year in an effort to increase awareness about their organization and provide a celebration for residents.
This year, Ms. Young said, the focus of the fundraising is for portable generators so that in the event of an emergency residents will not be without power.
“You want to have people be able to remain in their home even when there’s an emergency,” Ms. Young said. “We want the residents to be able to stay where they are comfortable.”
Residents who take refrigerated medications or have oxygen that needs electricity are particularly vulnerable, said Ms. Young. The organization hopes to get one generator for all of its properties, an undertaking that will cost approximately $1 million.
“It’s about being proactive,” Ms. Young said. “There haven’t been major snowstorms here for a couple of years but there could be . . . . We have to think about that ahead of time.”
All proceeds from the concert will go toward this goal. Ticket prices range from $25 to $300.
Jemima James, one of organizers of the event, said all IEH residents will get free tickets to the concert as well as transportation.
Ms. James said she has worked hard to create an intergenerational evening of music.
“We have a very interesting variety this year and I’m really excited about it,” Ms. James said.
Mary Gosselin, service coordinator for IEH, said that the community has been incredibly supportive of the organization and their residents. She said the concert is an example of how generous the community can be.
“Morning Glory Farm will supply flowers . . . Shirley’s Hardware is donating flashlights for all the residents to hold,” Ms. Gosselin said. “Every time I’m reaching out to see if people can participate, it always comes back more.”
Ms. Young said she hopes the concert can provide more awareness in the community.
“We are here sort of quietly doing our work and caring for our residents,” Ms. Young said. “It’s good to say to the community that we are here.”
For for more information, visit iehmv.org.
Comments
Comment policy »