Raise Me Up: A Concert of Hope!

My first concert of ALL Christian material from I'M NOT ALONE and LET THE DOOR SWING WIDE in the Outer Banks...this is a benefit and will include the efforts of my music buds: our own violinist Leslie Erickson, cellist Stephanie Peppler and percussionist Dan Martier (yes, Laura's hubby). We will be taping this for DVD release at some point. Please read the release below for additional info and feel free to contact Susan or me for more info....and PLEASE COME!! It's the Thursday of Memorial Day Weekend.

For Immediate Release:
National recording artist, Kim Kalman, will perform songs from her contemporary Christian CDs, I’m Not Alone and Let the Door Swing Wide on Thursday, May 21, 2009,
7PM at Holy Redeemer by the Sea Fellowship Hall. Joining Kim for the evening will be violinist, Leslie Erickson, national touring percussionist, Dan Martier, cellist, Stephanie Peppler, and members of the Holy Redeemer Choir. All performers will donate their time and talents to raise money for the Outer Banks Partner Scholarship for the Nativity Preparatory School in Wilmington, Delaware.

The Nativity Preparatory ( HYPERLINK "http://www.nativitywilmington.org" www.nativitywilmington.org) educates low income boys of ALL faiths, grades fifth through eighth. All students attend the school tuition-free and are selected based on their demonstrated superior discipline and work ethics. The school was opened in 2003 by the Oblates of St Francis de Sales, an order of priests. The staff of teachers and coaches works along with the Oblates on a volunteer basis.

What does the Nativity Preparatory School have to do with the Outer Banks? Susan Cheney-O’Connell, a member of Holy Redeemer by the Sea Catholic Church in Kitty Hawk, began the scholarship fund for Nativity Prep in February 2009 with encouragement from the Pastor Father Bill Walsh. "I taught school in a New Jersey ghetto community after college and realized only education solves the poverty challenge. My 30 years of military service reinforced my belief. Because our parish priests are Oblates, I realized I had found a volunteer activity that resonated with my personal beliefs."

There are over 50 Nativity model schools in cities throughout the US - 90% of their graduates finish high school, 80% complete college. The Nativity model transforms individuals who wind up transforming communities because the whole community becomes invested in the transformation process. In essence, the cycle of poverty, crime and underachievement is replaced with the cycle of challenge, structure and success.

"In reaching out beyond our own community, we are taking positive steps in bettering our county and hence our world" says Kim.

All proceeds benefit the school. Tickets are $10 and are available through Susan Cheney (441-1575), Holy Redeemer Church (261-4700)and www.PrayerThroughMusic.com.