ROCK THE PLANK OUTDOOR SUMMER CONCERT SLATED TO BENEFIT FAMILIES FACING CANCER
ROCK THE PLANK OUTDOOR SUMMER CONCERT SLATED TO BENEFIT FAMILIES FACING CANCER
MACOMB, MICH.– Country artist Josh Gracin will headline a day filled with music, food, arts and crafts to benefit families facing cancer at the second annual Rock the Plank outdoor concert, Saturday, August 4, 2018, on the campus of St. Peter Lutheran Church and School (SPLCS), 17051 24 Mile Rd, in Macomb, Mich. New this year, the event will begin at 2 p.m. with an arts and crafts market, food trucks and a second stage filled with local performers throughout the day, before the main stage concerts kick off at 7 p.m.
The featured performer at this year’s Rock the Plank is Michigan-born country singer Josh Gracin, who catapulted to fame after auditioning for the second season of the hit television series American Idol. Gracin, who was serving in the United States Marine Corps at the time, quickly became a fan favorite and won the hearts of viewers with his strong fourth place finish on Idol. Also performing is Jalen Seawright, a Christian artist and local favorite, and other local artists to be announced.
Event proceeds, which are collected only in the form of sponsorships and donations, will benefit two Michigan-based cancer foundations: the New Day Foundation for Families, based in Rochester, and the ChadTough Foundation, based in Ann Arbor. The debut concert event in 2017 raised $10,000 for the organizations.
“The inspiration behind this event is to bring awareness and funding to the two foundations that we are holding up,” said Rock The Plank organizer Darlene Piette. “Both ChadTough and New Day are working so hard on behalf of cancer patients and their families in our community. This is our way of helping them grow and thrive.”
With no admission cost, Rock The Plank will rely on sponsorships and donations to help support the work they do. Concertgoers must register in advance to receive a parking pass for one of the designated lots. To register for the event, go to the Rock The Plank Home Page at www.RockThePlank.live and click the “Register Now” button. Corporate and individual sponsorships, as well as arts and craft vendors, are now being sought for the event. Information is available on the website.
New Day Foundation for Families is a Rochester, Michigan-based nonprofit founded in 2007 by Michael and Gina (Kell) Spehn in the aftermath of losing their first spouses to cancer (parents of Sam Kell). They serve those who have a family member in active treatment for a cancer diagnosis (adult or pediatric), and who also have children under the age of 18 living in the home. They accomplish their mission by offering immediate financial assistance and emotional support to combat Cancer Related Financial Toxicity (CRFT).
The mission of the ChadTough Foundation is to fund research and raise awareness for pediatric brain tumors with an emphasis on Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG). The Foundation is named after Chad Carr, the son of Jason and Tammi Carr, the grandson of U of M coach Lloyd Carr and U of M great Tom Curtis, who died of DIPG on November 23, 2015.
For more information on Rock The Plank, visit www.RockThePlank.live.
