Tree of Life UU Congregation Hosts Karaoke for Campers July 19

 

On  Saturday, July 19 from 6:30 to 9:30 pm Tree of Life UU Congregation, 5603 Bull Valley Road in McHenry will host Karaoke for Campers, an evening of songs and fun celebrating the International Day of  Karaoke to raise funds for supplies for Compassion for Campers.

Compassion for Campers (C4C), is Tree of Life’s signature ministry for the unhoused, homeless, and housing insecure in McHenry County.  It supplies  essential survival gear like tents, sleeping bags, sleeping mats, small propane tanks and stove tops, back packs and duffels, as well as personal hygiene and grooming items, laundry and dish soap, and non-perishable food items.  Volunteers distribute items for free on the first and third Fridays of every month from 10 am to 2 pm at Community Resource Days at Willow Creek Crystal Lake, 100 South Main Street in Crystal Lake.

 

Singing will start at 7:00 pm. Come early in order to view the song selections and sign up to channel your inner Elvis and share your inner rock star.

Light refreshments will be provided.  This is a no alcohol event, family friendly event.  A voluntary $10 donation is requested.  Participants can also buy clean and new items like the tents and sleeping bags as well as seasonal needs like multi-packs of mosquito repellent and sun screen and bring them to the church.

For more information visit Tree of  Life, the Facebook event, or e-mail pmurfin@sbcglobal.net.

 

 

Compassion for Campers Client to Headline Crystal Lake Benefit

Gregory Garrison, a Compassion for Campers client seen here from a CD album cover a few years ago will headline Compassion for Campers is Counting on You!

Compassion for Campers (C4C), the program that provides essential gear and equipment to the unhoused and underhoused, is presenting a special benefit program.  Compassion for Campers is Counting On You will be held at Crystal Lake Brewing, 190 North Main Street, Crystal Lake on Wednesday, August 30 from 6 to 9 pm.

A Woodstock based musician, composer, arranger, and synthesizer player who performs as G Man— A Kaleidoscope of Sounds produced by Gregory John Garrison will be main featured performer.  Garrison is a Compassion for Campers client who was made homeless after a series of personal disasters—water damage at his own recording studio, a car accident which wrecked his vehicle and caused financial ruin,  and the Coronavirus pandemic which forced the closure of his studio and loss of some equipment making him homeless.   Despite this he has maintained a positive attitude and worked to rebuild his life.  In his own words “with the help of Compassion for Campers, Warp Corp in Woodstock, Willow Crystal Lake, and my faith in God,”  he is currently in temporary housing in Woodstock.  He performs all original compositions on synthesizers and the work he will be showcasing at the benefit was composed on laptops in MacDonald’s over the last three years.

G Man--A Kaleidoscope of Sounds Produced by Gregory John Garrison.

The program will also feature veteran folk singer Norm Siegel, vocalist and guitarist Carrie MacDonald, and will be hosted by Ron Relic.

According to coordinator and spokesperson Patrick Murfin, Compassion for Campers which distributes its supplies at the Community Services Days at Willow Friendship Center, 100 South Main Street in Crystal Lake on the first and third Fridays of every month is in dire need of operating funds to meet the mounting numbers of people and families displaced from housing in McHenry County.

A $25 donation is requested for admission at the door and includes a ticket for a beer at the bar.  The evening will include  silent auction baskets and gift cards, a 50-50 raffle, and hors d’oeuvres/finger food.  

Compassion for Campers is an independent ministry of the Tree Of Life Unitarian Universalist Congregation in McHenry with the support of other churches, organizations, and individuals.  It is entirely dependent on generous donations or fundraisers to supply the nearly $1000 needed to purchase supplies for each distribution.  The congregation holds a special dedicated account for C4C that cannot be used for any other purpose and donates all administrative services, so all available funds go directly to client needs.

For more information visit the Facebook Event, on the web, or contact Patrick Murfin a pmurfin@sbcglobal.net   or 815 814-5645 . 

 

Compassion for Campers Benefit at Crystal Lake Brewing Features Carrie MacDonald

Vocalist and guitarist Carrie MacDonald will be a featured performer at the Compassion for Campers is Counting on You benefit at Crystal Lake Brewing.

Compassion for Campers (C4C), the program that provides essential gear and equipment to the unhoused and underhoused population of McHenry County, has scheduled a special benefit program.  Compassion for Campers is Counting On You will be held at Crystal Lake Brewing, 190 North Main Street, Crystal Lake on Wednesday, August 30 from 6 to 9 pm.

According to C4C coordinator and spokesperson Patrick Murfin, the program which distributes its supplies at the Community Services Days at Willow Friendship Center, 100 South Main Street in Crystal Lake on the first and third Fridays of every month is in dire need of operating funds. 

The program will feature Carrie MacDonald who is a classically trained vocalist who never actually wanted to be an opera singer.  She was a self-taught guitarist up until late last year. Her soaring vocals have been heard in front of thousands, including at New York City’s Carnegie Hall. She lives in Woodstock with her husband, two children, two cats, and one dog.

Also featured will be A Kaleidoscope of Sounds produced by C4C client Gregory John Garrison with original compositions on synthesizer as well as  veteran folk singer Norm Siegel.  Ron Relic will be the Master of Ceremonies.  The evening will include  silent auction baskets and gift cards, a 50-50 raffle, and hors d’oeuvres/finger food.  A $25 Donation at the door is requested and includes a chit for a beer or other beverage.

Compassion for Campers is an independent ministry of the Tree Of Life Unitarian Universalist Congregation in McHenry with the support of other churches, organizations, and individuals.  It is entirely dependent on generous donations or fundraisers to supply the nearly $1000 needed to purchase supplies for each distribution.  The congregation holds a special dedicated account for C4C that cannot be used for any other purpose and donates all administrative services, so all available funds go directly to client needs.

For more information visit the Facebook Event or the web page on the web, or contact Patrick Murfin a pmurfin@sbcglobal.net  or 815 814-5645.