Contact: Sharon Fisher
March 31, 2008

Big Stone Gap tornado relief drive brings in over $24,000

More than 400 attended the Benefit Concert on Friday night at Mountain Empire Community College, which was held to help raise funds for those directly affected by the destruction of the tornado that hit Big Stone Gap on March 4.  The concert and direct donations have raised over $24,000 to date. 

Major donors have included Alpha Natural Resources, Speers Ferry Church, Alley’s Chapel United Methodist Church, Southwest Virginia District Ruritan, Wellmont, and Quesenberry’s Inc., as well as many other generous organizations and individuals.

Donations of all sizes are still being collected.   Checks can be made to “Gap Partnership Tornado Relief Fund.”  The mailing address for donations is: The Gap Partnership, P.O. Box 236, Big Stone Gap VA 24219, or they can be dropped off at the Big Stone Gap Tourist & Information Center. 

The Concert was sponsored by Mountain Empire Community College and The Gap Partnership with underwriters being the Wellmont Lonesome Pine Hospital, the Wellmont Health System, Wachovia Bank, State Farm Insurance, and Quesenberry’s Inc.

Co-sponsors for the Concert included the Big Stone Gap Food Bank, Big Stone Gap Ministerial Association, Big Stone Gap Presbyterian Women, Big Stone Gap Rescue Squad, The Cornerstone House of Prayer, The Crooked Road,  Disabled American Veterans Chapter 45, Dogwood Garden Club, Eastern Star Chapter 157, First Christian Church, Galloway’s Rentals & Mobile Home Moving, Intermont Garden Club, Mountain Empire Older Citizens, Powell Valley Shrine Club, Rural Areas Development Association, Inc., Southwest Virginia Museum, Town of Big Stone Gap, Trinity United Methodist Church, Valley Garden Club, Virginia Department of Mines Minerals and Energy, Wallens Ridge State Prison, Wellmont Lonesome Pine Hospital Auxiliary, and Wise County.

Concert goers were presented with a wide selection of local talent who donated their time to this community effort. Kicking off the event on stage was master of ceremonies Ron Short with Bill and Nancy Smith, followed by The Midnight Ramblers, MECC's Richard Phillips, Jeff Burleson and Kayla Meade; Dale Jett with Teresa Jett and Oscar Harris; Kaitlyn Baker; Longing for Home, Boozy Creek Stringband and The United Methodist Church Choir.

More Press Releases