Finally here: concert is Tuesday night

As the Rector High School Helping Hands Foundation and its work for disadvantaged local students have grown, so has enthusiasm for the organization, which is attracting attention all over the country for its unique mission in giving a hand to many youth whose families are financially challenged.

It is because of that unique mission that several internationally-known artists have agreed to come to Rector, free of charge, in order to help raise funds for the Foundation. In fact, after hearing about the Foundation through its co-founder, Rector native Bill Carter of Nashville, many artists have asked to be a part of the show.

It is through that eagerness that the Foundation will present in concert next week in Rector a powerful lineup of artists, including: Dailey & Vincent, Nashville's hottest new bluegrass gospel group; Guy Penrod, one of the world's top gospel singers, and The Isaacs, an extraordinary group whose music fuses bluegrass, gospel and country.

Penrod and The Isaacs have been a part of the Bill Gaither Music Group, and Dailey & Vincent have performed on Gaither Homecoming videos.

Kevin Williams, also a part of the Gaither Music Group, is returning as emcee.

The concert is a sellout, with more than 1,500 tickets sold. People from at least eight states will be on hand for the event, set to begin at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4, at the new RHS gymnasium.

"We have sold tickets to folks in California, Tennessee, Michigan, Ohio, Missouri, Florida and Wisconsin," said Foundation secretary-treasurer Cathy Manning. "And of course there will be hundreds from right here in our area."

Lighting for the concert will be by Allen Branton, recognized around the world as one of the top in his field.

Local residents attending the concert are asked to consider riding one of three shuttles which will provide rides to the event from the First Baptist Church parking lot (near the post office), the First United Methodist Church parking lot at Main and West Third Streets and the First General Baptist Church parking lot on Highway 49 at the east edge of town.

"Of course the shuttles will return people to their cars after the concert," said a Foundation spokesman. "This will free up parking around the school for our out-of-town guests."

More than 250 premium tickets to the concert at $50 each were sold in just a few days after ticket sales began in mid-May. Those with premium tickets are invited to a "meet and greet" with the artists to begin at 5 p.m. Tuesday at the RHS cafetorium. Holders of those tickets also will receive a gift bag with gift cards for two complimentary meals at any Cracker Barrel location, two Gaither DVDs and one CD.

The doors will open at 5:30 p.m. for those with regular tickets.

In addition to the gift cards, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, based in Lebanon, Tenn., also has donated a signature Dolly Parton rocking chair, to be given away at the concert. Tickets for the chair are available at $1 each or six for $5 at the Helping Hands Foundation headquarters, 610 South Main in Rector, or at Glen Sain Motors in Rector.

Special seating for the disabled will be available at the concert, and concert committee members will be on hand to assist in parking and seating. Concessions will be available.

All proceeds of the concert and the chair giveaway will go to the Foundation. Since it was established in 2006, the organization has provided thousands of dollars in scholarships and assistance in many forms, including books or school supplies, band uniforms, instruments for the school band, athletic shoes and equipment for students who otherwise couldn't be a part of school athletic programs, money for field trips, meals, new eyeglasses, fees for college admission applications, dental work and much more.

The Foundation was established by Carter, a Nashville music producer, along with his former classmate, U.S. Army Major General (ret.) George Barker of New York, also a native of Rector. The Foundation board is made up of current and former Rector residents who serve voluntarily to oversee and administer the Foundation's work.

The Helping Hands Foundation is chartered in the state of Arkansas and has 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit status from the federal government. A donation to the Helping Hands Foundation may be used to honor a person on a special occasion or as a memorial in lieu of flowers. Each donation is tax deductible.

Those who want more information about the RHS Helping Hands Foundation and all it is doing to help students may go to the website at: www.RHSHelpingHands.org.