Concert to Benefit School for Deaf and Blind

HIGH SPRINGS ‒ On March 25, 10 bands will lend their musical talents to help raise money for the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind (FSDB) at the High Springs Lions Club. The High Springs Lions Club, located at 26900 W. U.S. Highway 27, has a long history of over 50 years helping those in need and sponsoring events to raise money for charitable causes.

Internationally, Lions Clubs provide funding for research and medical or disaster needs throughout the world. The High Springs Lions Club works both locally and nationally to help those in need. They use the motto “In Service to Others and When there's a need there's a Lion.”

One of the ways the High Springs Lions Club raises money is by hosting concerts at their large outdoor stage on the Club's grounds, Santa Fe Festival Field. Over the years they have hosted concerts for hurricane relief and veterans’ organizations, among others. On March 25, the Club is sponsoring Feel the Music concert to benefit the FSDB. Striving to keep admission affordable, the club set $10 for an entire day of music.

Based in St. Augustine, Florida, the FSDB was founded in 1885. It is the only school of its kind in Florida and is considered one of the best in the nation. The school provides free public education and life skills for sensory impaired children of all ages.

And since FSDB is a public school, education is provided at no cost to the families, as well as housing for those students living outside the local area. Students living locally ride a bus home each day. The school is 93 percent state funded with private donations adding the remaining seven percent. Those donations supply some of the extras such as life skill classes, tutoring, books in Braille, playgrounds, music and performing arts. Seventy-five percent of the students at the FSDB qualify for free and reduced cost lunches. The Lions Club is raising funds for expenses that state funding does not cover.

On March 25 the gates will open at 11 a.m. and the music will start at noon. In addition to the music, the Club will also offer food and beverages for purchase with all profits from food sales going to the school. Also on tap are vendors, an auction and raffles.

The Club suggests that people bring their own lawn chairs, but no coolers and no pets except service dogs. The show will open with Ellen Bukstel and Marc Severance. After that, the schedule in order of appearance will be Cameron Wheaton, Crooked Council, Houston Keen, Black River Harvesters, Southern Burn, Steel Tumbleweed, Little Bit More, Hog Town Slayers and ending the night with Big Rascal.

Additional information can be found at the High Springs Lions Club Facebook page or by calling 386-454-4521

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