Home Lifestyle Jazz concert benefits Richmond County nonprofits

Jazz concert benefits Richmond County nonprofits

Saxophonist Mark Gross performs a benefit concert at the Dobbins Heights Community Center. Photos contributed by Michelle Parrish
Saxophonist Mark Gross performs a benefit concert at the Dobbins Heights Community Center. Photos contributed by Michelle Parrish

DOBBINS HEIGHTS — A recent jazz concert raised more than $4,000 for several Richmond County charities.

Two-time Grammy Award-winning musician Mark Gross performed at the Dobbins Heights Community Center Nov. 4 ,with proceeds going toward United Way of Richmond County, Richmond County Hospice and Jada’s Helping Hands.

The latter is an organization founded in 2008 named for Jada Thomas of Hamlet, who was born 23 weeks early and diagnosed with cerebral palsy. She is now 19.

Through the years, proceeds from fundraisers have gone to the Ronald McDonald House and families with young patients at Lenox Baker Children’s Hospital, Duke Children’s Health Center and Richmond County families with special needs children.

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The event was organized by James Hamilton and Dobbins Heights Mayor Antonio Blue.

“It was a great night and everyone had a great time,” said Michelle Parrish, executive director of United Way of Richmond County. “Mr. Mark Gross was simply fantastic. It was a very personable and interactive performance. We hope he will come back and share his talent with us again in the near future.”

UWRC helps support 13 partnering agencies in the county that help others in the community including Back Pack Pals, Habitat for Humanity of the NC Sandhills, Our Daily Bread, and the Richmond County Rescue Squad.

“Richmond County Hospice was honored to be chosen as one of the beneficiaries from the Speakin’ Easy with Mark Gross Jazz experience,” said Kristina Leyden, CEO of R.C. Hospice. “Mayor Antonio Blue organized this beautiful event to benefit our community, including Richmond County Hospice, and his vision brought us sweet smooth jazz music with Mark Gross’s personal narrative storytelling. Our agency is beyond blessed to have community advocates who understand the importance of end of life care for all.”

Pictured, from left: Crystal Hailey, Jada’s Helping Hands; Arturo DeAguilar and Kristina Leyden, Richmond County Hospice; Mark Gross; Antonio Blue; and Michelle Parrish, United Way of Richmond County.



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