STORM2K

iceangel wrote:
1- Kenny Rogers gave a benifit concert here and raised about $150.00

Kenny Rogers Raises $200,000 For Hurricane Relief
by: mloff@sbgnet.com


Many Hurricane Ivan victims will get some help thanks to legendary singer Kenny Rogers.

The country music star is in Pensacola helping Rebuild Northwest Florida.

Rebuild Northwest Florida officials estimate that the concert will net about $200,000.

They say that's equivalent to about 100 families in the area getting a new roof.

The singer waved his concert fee for tonight's performance, which drew an estimated 5,000 fans.

Prior to taking the stage at the Civic Center we got an exclusive interview with Rogers.

He says he and his family drove around the area this weekend and saw Hurricane Ivan's destruction first-hand.

"I was just shocked, you can watch it on TV all you want too, but until you're here and you actually see the devastation and see that's its been six months, maybe more and people are still working on their houses. It's an amazing thing and those of us who live more inland I don't think can fully appreciate it," said Rogers.

Area resident Larry Butler, who wrote and produced some of Roger's greatest hits, is credited with bringing the music legend to town.

Rebuild Northwest Florida officials say Sunday night's benefit concert will make a huge difference as the area continues to recover from Ivan.

"The healing an event like this has, we're still in a lot of pain in Northwest Florida and there are a lot of people struggling and hopefully this also brings some spirit and joy and another step in rebuilding our community," said Dick Appleyard with Rebuild NW Florida.