Vocalist Brenda Williams, left, will perform with her band on Nov. 6 at the Historic Artcraft Theatre as part of a fundraiser sponsored by the Franklin and Greenwood Kiwanis Clubs.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
On Sunday afternoon, local residents have the opportunity to hear the velvety voice of one of central Indiana’s best singers.
But at the same time, they’ll be helping support youth programs throughout Johnson County and beyond.
Kiwanis Clubs in Franklin and Greenwood are joining together to put on a concert featuring vocalist Brenda Williams at 2 p.m. Nov. 6 at the Historic Artcraft Theatre. Proceeds from the event go toward the clubs’ support of Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health, as well as a number of other efforts designed to help kids.
“Our clubs have been serving our communities, especially our children, for more than 50 years,” said Richard Isenhour, Greenwood Kiwanis president. “Every ticket we sell to this concert makes it possible for us to explore even more creative ways to serve the needs of our children.”
The Kiwanis Club in both Franklin and Greenwood have made support of Riley Hospital for Children a priority. Members donate thousands of dollars to the hospital’s programs each year. They also sew neck pillows and collect items for the Kiwanis Parent Comfort Cart, which provides toiletries, snacks, games, books and other items to parents of patients at Riley Hospital for Children.
“Parents don’t always know whether their child will be hospitalized. The Comfort Cart provides them with items they need for unexpected overnight stays,” Isenhour said.
But Kiwanis’ fundraising efforts are also focused locally. The clubs sponsor Key Clubs at Center Grove, Franklin Central and Greenwood high schools, and Greenwood Christian Academy. Each year they award one $1,000 scholarship to a graduating Key Club member at each of the high schools, and have created the Linda Corey Fund, which awards grants to Key Club members to attend the Indiana District of Kiwanis Key Leader retreat in the fall.
Partnering with the Key Clubs, Kiwanis members take part in service projects such as making blankets for people in need and collecting coats.
The clubs also plan to continue supporting youth-related programs as their budget permits, such as KIC-IT, Turning Point Domestic Services, and Girls Inc., Isenhour said.
“In a nutshell, our club helps children. Our goal is to make our community a better place, especially for our children,” he said.
The concert with Williams will serve a major avenue to do so.
“By attending this concert, people are not only going to enjoy an exhilarating concert in a historic setting, but they will join us in the bigger picture, positively affecting the many lives of many children,” said Blake Bartling, president of Franklin Kiwanis Club.
Williams is an internationally recognized and locally adored musical artist who has built a large fan base in central Indiana over the years. She and her band will perform hits from many genres, in her own defining style, from jazz to blues, Broadway tunes to ballads, contemporary to early standards.
She’s gained recognition from her award-winning performances in the American Cabaret Theatre, the Indiana Repertory Theater and the Beef & Board Dinner Theater. She’s also gained national recognition as the opening act for headliners such as Ray Charles, Chuck Mangione, Lee Greenwood and the Beach Boys.
General admission tickets for the concert are $20 each and can be purchased online at myevent.com/KiwanisClubofGreenwoodpresentsBrenaWilliams or by accessing the Historic Artcraft Theater Web site, historicartcrafttheatre.org, clicking on “Movies/Events” and scrolling down to the concert.
Tickets also are available from any member of the Franklin or Greenwood Kiwanis club or may be purchased at the door.
