By Debbie Gregory.
This morning, I am checking in from Chicago, where I am anxiously awaiting tonight’s America Salutes You benefit concert. This evening’s live event is the fruition of many, many months of hard work. But the team I have been privileged to work with is second to none.
The goal has always been to raise funds and awareness for some of the extraordinary non-profits that assist our military and veterans. We are all especially grateful to pop legend Cyndi Lauper for headlining the concert.
In addition to be a talented and successful performer, Cyndi is a great humanitarian, lending her celebrity to causes such as LGBT rights, human rights, childhood cancer, Save the Music and military and veterans.
We are all also grateful to all of the other performers, including Gavin DeGraw, Wanda Jackson, Hoodie Allen, Andra Day, CeCe Winans, Anthony Kearns, Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder, Tegan Marie, Savannah Maddison, Jeff Kazee and the House Band, and many others.
The national anthem will be performed by the Chicago Blackhawk’s Jim Cornelison. Comedian Tom Dreesen will emcee the concert and celebrity presenters include actor David Eigenberg (“Chicago Fire”) and more to be announced.
You can listen to the live stream on Livestream, Military.com and TV Worldwide.
I also hope you will tune in over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend to watch the concert when it airs nationally on Tribune Broadcasting, Sinclair Broadcast Group and Graham Media Group stations. (click for local listings).
“America Salutes You” will be offered to radio stations nationally by Westwood One.
Text and online fundraising will take place during the concert’s multi-platform broadcast, with 100 percent of all funds raised being granted to non-profit organizations helping veterans, service members and their families across the country such as: Give an Hour, ThanksUSA, Easter Seals Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services, the Bob Woodruff Foundation, TAPS, Snowball Express, Illinois Joining Forces and Honor Flights. The concert is entirely paid for by sponsorships; no donation money will be used for concert expenses.
Text FREEDOM to 80077 to donate $10. Message and data rates may apply.
Military Connection salutes and proudly serves veterans and service members in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Guard and Reserve, and their families.
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