DUELING PIANOS EVENT HITS HIGH NOTE, RAISING OVER $25K FOR SCHOLARSHIPS AND HOSPITAL RECOVERY

The Concert for a Cause: Howl at the Moon Dueling Pianos event, held at Southeastern Illinois College’s Deaton Gymnasium and co-hosted by Ferrell Hospital, was once again a resounding success, raising over $25,000 to support scholarships at SIC and aid in the rebuilding of Ferrell Hospital’s x-ray room, which was damaged by recent flooding.

With a lively atmosphere and the talents of three versatile musicians who kept the crowd engaged with the many audience requests, the event welcomed nearly 350 attendees. Its financial success was driven by sponsorships, ticket sales, donations, an online silent auction, the Balloon Pop, the Heads-or-Tails game, and specialty drink contributions.

Sponsorships for the event ranged from $500 to $2,000, with Align Wealth Management and Michael Tison leading the way as the premier “On Top of the World” sponsor. Morello’s Restaurant joined as our “Jukebox Hero” sponsor, while our “Don’t Stop Believin’” sponsors included All in One Real Estate Co., Banterra Bank, Beecher and Helen Williams, CAVU Wealth Advisors, Ironworkers Local 103, Legence Bank, State Senator Dale Fowler, State Representative Patrick Windhorst, and Vestis Services. A special thank-you goes to State Senator Dale Fowler for also sponsoring our fan-favorite Balloon Pop game. We are incredibly grateful to the many businesses and individuals who contributed monetary donations, silent auction items, and prizes for the Balloon Pop, helping make this event a success.

Callie Smith, Ferrell Hospital’s Director of Community Relations/Foundation, expressed pride in the ongoing success of the collaboration, stating, “Ferrell Hospital is proud to close out another year co-hosting Concert for a Cause with SIC. It’s a pleasure to help host an event that benefits two great organizations and is fun for the community.”

The evening began with a delicious dinner prepared by SIC Falcon Bistro’s Chef Michael Intravaia, paired with cheesecakes generously donated by Maple Street Café at Ferrell Hospital. Morello’s Restaurant provided cash beverage services and pledged a portion of specialty drink sales to the fundraiser. Guests also enjoyed capturing memories at the Epic Snap photo booth.

Attendees enjoyed an electrifying evening of entertainment from the talented musicians of the world-famous Howl at the Moon, generously tipping and adding to the energetic ambiance. The auction, featuring a diverse selection of items donated by local businesses and individuals, was conducted online, allowing for remote participation and expanding the event’s reach.

Half of the funds raised will support the rebuilding of Ferrell Hospital’s x-ray room, which was destroyed in the recent flood that caused significant damage to the facility. The remaining proceeds will strengthen the endowment for SIC student scholarships and support. Notably, every dollar raised for SIC will be matched by a federal Title III grant, further amplifying the event’s impact.

” We are proud to join again this year with Ferrell Hospital for the Concert for a Cause,” stated SIC President Dr. Karen Weiss. “This partnership reflects our shared commitment to advancing healthcare and education in our community. Every dollar raised helps equip our hospital with essential tools while also helping our students to meet their education goals through scholarship opportunities. Together, we can make a lasting impact!”

For those interested in contributing further, additional avenues for donations to both organizations are available online. For additional ways to give to SIC, visit sic.edu/give or email giving@sic.edu. For additional ways to give to Ferrell Hospital, visit ferrellhosp.org/For-You/Ferrell-Foundation or email foundation@ferrellhospital.org.