Benefit concert planned for Roachdale family
ROACHDALE -- A benefit co-ncert is planned for this weekend to help out a family who has had a bit of bad luck.
Howard Harris, 39, is afflicted with muscular dystrophy since the age of 4 and has been wheelchair-bound for 21 years. His wife Judy is his full-time caretaker.
A couple of months ago, the couple's van -- which was equipped with a lift for Howard -- was totaled in a car-deer wreck. The van, which is 20 years old, sustained extensive underbody damage.
"We're still driving it, but it's not the same vehicle it was," Harris said. "We've had to repair a lot of things on it."
The concert will he held at the Roachdale Christian Church, 1 N. Walnut St. Local gospel groups The New City Gospel Quartet & Live Band of Cloverdale and The Woodsmen of Crawfordsville are slated to perform. An offering will be taken, with all proceeds going toward a new vehicle for the Harrises. The event will begin at 6 p.m. Saturday.
"(The Harrises) began attending our church probably four or five years ago," said John Nolan, pastor of the Roachdale Christian Church. "Howard was baptized there, and we've developed a friendship."
Nolan said he hopes to raise enough money to purchase a newer used van for the Harrises.
"Obviously we won't be able to get something new, because that would be very expensive," he said. "Our goal is really just to get them something more roadworthy."
Nolan credited the performing artists for making the concert possible.
"The church is just providing the venue," he said.
Harris is humbled by how many people have come forward to help make the benefit happen.
"I'm really thankful," he said. "There are so many people who are willing to help someone else out without expecting anything in return."