Concert promoter to raise funds for Veterans Honor Flight after trailer theft
WEST FARGO, N.D. (Valley News Live) - A local event promoter hopes to donate a portion of proceeds from an upcoming concert to the Veterans Honor Flight of North Dakota and Minnesota.
The announcement follows a theft that cost the nonprofit an estimated $30,000 in fundraising merchandise.
Ernest and Henning Events said it plans to direct a large amount of potential proceeds from the 38 Special concert at Essentia Health Plaza at The Lights toward the organization.
Nonprofit responds to theft
Barb Chamberlain, a volunteer and bus captain with the Veterans Honor Flight of ND/MN, said the organization hopes to recover quickly.
“What happened was such a shock to us all,” Chamberlain said. “Our veterans mean so much to us for what they have done for our country and the Honor Flight is a way to honor them. We hope to quickly replenish our merchandise so we can get back to fundraising. We are so thankful that our communities are so generous and thank everyone for their support.”
Promoter’s personal connection
Lance Johnson, an owner of Ernest and Henning Events, said the organization holds personal significance for him.
“The Veterans Honor Flight is one of the most special organizations,” Johnson said. “The work that those volunteers put in to create this once in a lifetime experience for our region’s veterans is simply amazing.”
Johnson said he escorted his father, Lindley Johnson, an Army veteran from Argyle, Minn., on last fall’s flight.
“It will always be one of the greatest honors of my life that I was able to spend those three days with not only my dad, but with the veterans and the wonderful volunteers that assisted on the trip,” Johnson said. “The emotion, the comradery, and the stories were just as amazing as the memorials we toured.”