I’ve never been much of a Bible quoter, but I got to thinking about the impact of the Park Fire and all of the ways kindhearted people are stepping up to help others who have been affected by the fire. I heard the verse from Romans 8:28: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” referenced in a television show, and I really like it. It seems that when horrible things happen, people come together to help and support each other and that is beautiful.
Jake Koertge, a realtor from the Becky Williams team at Keller Williams, had a brainchild one night when thinking about a way to help fire victims. “People need help right now,” he told Kai Music and Arts owners Gary Smith and Gypsy Andrews. “We need to meet.
” Kai Music and Arts is a hub and music school for people of all ages. Koertge, Andrews, Smith and local musician Kevin Killion put their heads together and came up with the idea for “Roots of Resilience,” a Park Fire benefit concert that takes place Saturday, Aug. 17, from 1-8 p.
m. at City Plaza in downtown Chico. There is a suggested donation of $10, but no one will be turned away, and people can of course donate more.
The benefit is not just a concert, but will also be an information source for fire victims. Andrews said True North Housing Alliance will be present, as well as the Camp Fire Restoration Project, Restore the Land and the Cohasset Community Association. There will be an area for people to donate supplies such as food, clothing and hygiene products and dry goods.
A nonprofit out of Concow will have resources and Chico Creative Reuse will be on hand with art projects and art supplies. “We are hoping to have one person from each nonprofit go up on stage and talk about what they have available in between the music sets,” said Andrews. The full lineup of bands performing Saturday are Stump Jumperz Evacuees, One Up, Heirloom, Modern Methods, Wolfthump, Yahmo, Sons of Jefferson, Triple Tree, Melli Farias and the BeetKeepers.
The philosophy of Kai Music and Arts is not just to teach kids music, said Smith, but to show them how to use it to better their community. “We instill in them how to make music make a difference and find out where the community needs help,” he said. Andrews said an arts and craft vendor is donating proceeds to the benefit.
“All vendors are paying a $40 fee which goes toward the benefit,” she said. “There have been 10 signups for crafts vendors.” Smith said there is a 9-year-old Kai ukelele student who makes crocheted flowers and bracelets, giving the money he earns from sales to the fire victims.
Andrews said Forest Ranch coffee company Road Roaster Coffee Company is donating a gift basket to the benefit and there will be a raffle with silent auction for that and other prizes. Also, Farmers Brewing Restaurant and Taproom and Ramble West Brewing are donating the proceeds from their beer sales to the benefit. All proceeds will go to help victims of the fire.
People can pay donations with Venmo or cash. The bands are playing for free. “Artist Yhmo lost his house and has nothing but wants to support others,” Smith said.
“I really want to make sure people know how grateful we are. Johnny on the Spot donated something which had me in tears.” “This is definitely a worthy cause,” said BeetKeepers musician Peter Berkow.
“We care about our brothers and sisters going through this. We need to take care of each other.” Berkow said the BeetKeepers music is a combination of jazz, blues, funk and Latin.
Guitar player Chris Wenger was an original member of the Mother Hips. “We are lucky to have him,” Berkow said. Berkow and his wife Tricia Berkow have played music in Chico for 30 years.
“I’ve felt the love of the music community here,” Berkow said. Killion will be performing with Melli Farias, which is a pop funk band. “We call came together to make this happen,” Killion said.
“Volunteers have been helpful and supportive. Everything is going great.” For information about the event or to sponsor, visit www.
kaimusicandarts.com or call 530-717-5949. Smith said there will be another concert and benefit Aug.
31 called “Recovery of the River,” which will have lots of performers and resources for people as well..
