SOIMF makes donation to Dayton Honor Squad

Ben Erickson from Bible Baptist Church of Wilmington presents check to DNCHS member Bob Perry. Photo courtesy of East Public Relations.If you are the type who donates time and treasure to charitable causes, you know how habit-forming it can be. The feeling of satisfaction you get from assisting deserving and worthwhile endeavors is something that many folks cherish.

Just so with Joe Mullins and his biannual bluegrass event, the Southern Ohio Indoor Music Festival. Each time they host their spring or fall celebration, they try to involve some sort of presentation to a charitable organization in the Dayton, OH area. Of late, it has often been agencies that assist US military veterans in some way.

At last week’s festival, the staff organized a raffle of two guitars donated by JD Music Company, which ended with a $1000 donation being awarded to the Dayton National Cemetery Honor Squad. This is an all-volunteer group who arrange for a honor guard to be present for the burial of all military veterans at the cemetery.

Raffle tickets were offered for $5 during the festival, and when the drawings were done on Saturday evening, Jim Holcomb of Xenia, OH won a new Martin guitar and Mike Newkirk of Franklin, OH won one from Cherrybend.

Mullins expressed gratitude to the SOIMF attendees whose ticket purchases allowed them to honor and reward the DNCHS.

“I am so thankful for the generosity of the audience at our music festivals. With the assistance of our sponsors and the gracious giving of our attendees, we were able to help some great Veteran volunteers.”

And Honor Guard representative Bob Perry thanked everyone involved for their support.

“I want to thank the Southern Ohio Music Festival fans for their support of the Dayton National Cemetery Honor Squad. This was a very enlightening experience for us. We know now we have the support of the bluegrass community for the dedication we provide for our fallen brothers and sisters. For that support, we are truly honored and will be forever grateful. Special thank you goes to the Bible Baptist Church of Wilmington, Cherrybend Pheasant Farm and JD Music Company for their charitable donations.”

Hats off to all who supported this raffle, and to the Dayton National Cemetery Honor Squad for their efforts to ensure that every veteran receives full military honors when they pass.

Share this:

About the Author

John Lawless

John had served as primary author and editor for The Bluegrass Blog from its launch in 2006 until being folded into Bluegrass Today in September of 2011. He continues in that capacity here, managing a strong team of columnists and correspondents.