Benefit concert to help local Sparrow

Sisters High School will host a benefit concert for their local "Sparrow," Christian Ruwaldt, on Saturday, May 30 at 6:30 p.m. in the Sisters High School auditorium.

The school adopted the child as part of the Sparrow Club program, in which students raise funds to help children in medical crisis.

Christian is one-and-a-half years old and was born with two rare heart diseases. He has already had two major heart surgeries and still has one last surgery to go. All monies raised at the concert will go to Christian to help cover medical expenses not covered by insurance and also assist the family with transportation costs and medical equipment.

The benefit concert was orchestrated by musician Austin Erlandson and his father, Del, who have put countless hours of preparation into the event.

"Basically, Christian has been getting a couple hundred dollars here and there, and we wanted to try and raise a significant amount of money that will really help the family and help them pay off some of their bills," Austin said.

The concert will include several singer/songwriters who will perform a range of genres including bluegrass, folk, country, jazz, rock and classical music.

Austin E's band, which includes his younger brother Justin and Dallas Frederick, will also take the stage. One of their top songs for the evening will be "The Devil Went Down to Georgia," and a sketch by Grayson Gould and Brett Pray will be incorporated into the selection.

"The Snag," a band from Bend, consisting of Mountain View and Bend High students will also perform. When The Snag heard of Erlandson's efforts to help Ruwaldt, they offered to help and have been promoting the concert in Bend.

In addition to the performances, an acoustic guitar, signed by Vince Gill and his band, will be purchased for $1,200, and these proceeds will also go to Christian.

Several years ago, Logan Chandler, a SHS graduate, wanted to made a guitar, sell it and give the proceeds to the local Sparrow. However, he was unable to finish the project. Last year, Dominic Nieri worked many hours on the guitar, and this year Billy Sampson put his time and effort into the endeavor. The 200 hours of combined work by these three students finally brought the project to completion.

At least two of the three young men will be at the benefit to present the guitar to Steve Hunt, who previously agreed to buy the guitar for $1,200.

Tony Cosby, teacher at SHS for the guitar class, said, "I think it's so cool these three guys collaborated on this guitar project for our Sparrow. This is a prime example of students thinking about someone else instead of what they can get or gain."

Sparrow Club Advisor Kristy Rawls added, "This is an event that not only supports our Sparrow, but also Austin and the musicians in our community. Like so many things in Sisters, people work together and many reap the benefits.

"A heartfelt thanks to XPress Printing, who did all the printing, and to DANA Signs in Bend, who did the posters, all for free. And, thanks to GFP Enterprises, Sisters Rental, Robinson Owen and Rays, also sponsors for the event."

Tickets to the benefit concert may be purchased at Paulina Springs Books and Breedlove Guitars or contact Austin E. at 420-1760 or Del at 410-4936. Cost for adults is $10 and high school students are $5. All other students and children are free. Doors will open at 6 p.m. Free child care will be available on site for infants and small children who are unable to sit through the performance.