Category All Art Classes Classical Music Concerts DANCE Etc Exhibits Families Farmers Markets Film Happenings Holiday Holiday Lectures Music (non-classical) Theater

Submit events

PHOTO COURTESY OF BAND

BLUES BANDS. The Randy Oxford Band has supported the Friends of the Holidays fundraising event for years and will perform yet again June 22 at the Swiss to help raise funds for the organization.

It’s beginning to look a lot like…Christmas?

By Clare Jensen

June may seem like an odd time to start getting the Christmas sprit, but for Friends of the Holidays, it is a crucial point in their fundraising plan.

The organization, which raises money to feed low-income families at Christmastime, has been hosting two events a year for the past 10 years to pool as much money for those families as possible.

When they first started out a decade ago, they were hand-delivering food to about 35 families a season.

Last year, the half-yearly events raised about $25,000 – enough to feed 540 families for Christmas, and the following days.

Jon Sybert, founder and president of Friends of the Holidays, expects a similar amount this year as well.

The first Friends event for the 2008 holiday season will take place June 22 at the Swiss.

The Swiss has played host to the twice-yearly event for the past nine years.

“There should be a nice big turn out…it’ll be a nice big party,” Sybert said, adding that because of the extended summer daylight, live performances will last longer.

This year eight bands will be donating their time and talents to the cause.

Steve Stefanowicz, Chymes of Freedom, Eddie Gillian’s Love Child, Tim Hall Band, Randy Oxford Band, Junkyard Jane, Rock and Roll Magic and Poodlebomb will make the line-up.

One-dollar raffles for a variety of gift certificates (meals, movies, spas) will be up for the taking, as well as an auction of hand-blown glass pieces.

Local artist Tweed Meyer will continue her tradition of painting the bands as they perform as well.

“If nothing else, come out and enjoy some great music,” Sybert said. “We’ve been blessed with the bands over the years…We have a couple bands who have really committed themselves to donating their time over the years.”

Sybert said Randy Oxford and his wife have been involved with Friends of the Holidays in the past and have even helped out delivering food. Tim Hall, Junkyard Jane and Steve Stefanowicz have also been true friends of the holiday, according to Sybert.

Sybert said the December event is typically bigger than the June one, because people are generally more in tune with their holiday spirits. Sybert expects anywhere from 200-400 people showing up for the big day.

Story Tools