Aiken Community Rallies for Hurricane Relief at Benefit Concert

Aiken Residents Come Together for a Hurricane Relief Concert

On a beautiful Saturday evening, Aiken buzzed with positive energy as community members gathered for a free hurricane relief benefit concert at Electric Eats on Laurens Street. Under clear skies and with the temperature hovering around 83°F, music lovers flocked to support their neighbors affected by Tropical Storm Helene, proving that a little sunshine and great tunes can uplift spirits during challenging times.

Impromptu Plans Create a Night to Remember

Initially, the Southern Strings Music Festival was set to take place on the same weekend to benefit the Kisner Foundation. However, after the harsh impact of the storm on September 27 forced a last-minute cancellation, the festival organizers wasted no time in organizing a smaller, free event for the community. George Claussen, the founder of Friends With Benefits Productions, shared, “After the storm, it was just a mess. We didn’t know what was possible or what we could do.” It was clear that despite the trying circumstances, something had to be done to bring the community together.

Headliners and Heartfelt Performances

The highlight of the evening was John “JoJo” Hermann, the renowned keyboardist from Widespread Panic, who graced the stage alongside talented guitarist Sam Holt. As the duo played their hearts out, transforming their performance into a three-hour jam session instead of the scheduled two, the crowd couldn’t help but dance and sway along. Claussen remarked, “They really felt it. JoJo’s usually a pretty reserved guy, but he was really excited after the show.”

The spirit of generosity was palpable throughout the night as attendees were encouraged to donate non-perishable food items and contribute to an online fund aimed at supporting those hard-hit by the storm. The two musicians, alongside the community, came together to hold a concert that wasn’t just about entertainment; it was about healing.

Community Bonds Strengthened

Golf superstar Kevin Kisner also made an appearance, expressing gratitude to everyone involved. “First of all, thank y’all for coming. Amen! We’ve been through hell here, y’all have been through hell here. Let’s have fun,” he said, raising a cheer for the resilient Aiken community. His words resonated deeply, emphasizing the power of unity during challenging times.

Despite the unforeseen challenges, such as a power outage that threatened to derail the concert moments before it started, Claussen and his team quickly adapted. “It was pretty chaotic, but we improvised,” he noted, as they brought in a generator to keep the music going.

A Night of Success and Solidarity

By the end of the event, over $40,000 had been raised to aid local hurricane relief efforts, and donations continued to flow in as the week progressed. Leanna Wanta, the executive director of the Kisner Foundation, commented, “I give so much credit to Electric Eats. They let us mess up their whole routine to give people something to look forward to.” Indeed, it was a testament to the strength of community spirit, with numerous local organizations rallying to support the concert.

Tara Bostwick, Chief Operating Officer of the Aiken Horse Park Foundation, reflected on the importance of coming together in the face of adversity. “It gave people a little respite from cleaning up and having no power,” she said, stressing how vital community connections are during such hard times.

Looking Ahead

Claussen expressed pride in the turnout and success of the concert, saying, “When everybody pulls together to make something magical happen, it’s something people are going to remember for a long time.” Aiken’s resilience shined brightly that night, with the promise of brighter days ahead as the community continues to support one another through the aftermath of the storm.

Even though the hurricane may have passed, the love and solidarity exhibited in Aiken remind us that together, we can weather any storm.