Thursday, Nov. 05, 2009

Accident victims' families benefit from concert

A Carlyle radio station and winery and three Clinton County bands are joining forces to raise money for the families of seven young people hurt or killed in a car accident five months ago.

The public is invited to a rock concert Saturday that will benefit the Forever in Our Hearts Foundation, which was established by friends soon after the accident near Keyesport.

"The families are very appreciative," said Chris Holtmann, 49, of Albers, foundation organizer whose daughter, Lindsay, 21, was friends with all the victims.

"There have been several fundraisers already, but this is drawing from a different area and a larger base of people," Holtmann said. "The people of Clinton County have done so much."

The concert will be held from 3 p.m. to midnight Saturday (doors open at 2) at Bretz Wildlife Lodge and Winery, 4211 12th St. in Carlyle. Tickets cost $15 for one person or $25 for two, which includes a CD produced by the headliner, Effic. A $100 deluxe package with dinner and other perks also is available.

The benefit will feature music by Three Crosses at 3 p.m., Big Jeff Chapman's Acoustic Blues at 5:30 p.m. and Effic at 9 p.m. Between the last two bands, WDLJ radio station (97.5 FM) will play advance requests live from the winery.

"We're just trying to do what we can to help out the families," said Mike Kleinhoffer, Effic's lead vocalist and songwriter, who is helping organize the concert.

The accident occurred May 24, when a Pontiac Grand Am driven by Melissa Weiser, 27, of East Carondelet, failed to stop at an intersection and struck a Cadillac Escalade carrying the seven young people. Weiser was charged with felony drunken driving.

Three people died in the Escalade, including Derek Garrison, 21, of Germantown; Blake Thole, 21, of Aviston; and Justin Haar, 21, of Breese.

Four others in the Cadillac were injured, including John Lampen, 22, of Breese; Crystal Fuehne, 22, of New Baden; Elisha Engelmann, 20, of Albers; and Casey Athmer, 21, of Damiansville.

"My daughter was childhood friends with Crystal, who's going through rehab in Carbondale right now," Holtmann said. "She was the driver. She was in bad shape (after the accident), but she lived.

"She's still working on being able to walk and retain the rest of her memory and go back to school. She has progressed a lot."

The foundation and other groups have raised $80,000 for the seven families with a golf tournament, poker run and other events. Some parents have had to take off work, pay for hotel stays near hospitals or incur medical-related expenses.

Beyond music, the benefit will feature a silent auction, bake sale and bean-bag and washer tournaments.

Kleinhoffer understands why some people might question the idea of holding the benefit at a winery since a drunken driver allegedly caused the accident.

"To some extent, we're trying to emphasize the importance of responsible drinking," he said. "We'll have a designated-driving program that day. As people come into the banquet hall, those who agree to be designated drivers will get all their non-alcoholic beverages for free."

For more information on the benefit, visit www.efficmusic.com, www.events@wildlifelodgeandwinery.com or www.wdlj.com.

People also may send donations to the Forever in Our Hearts Foundation at First County Bank of Albers.

At a glance

What: Benefit rock concert.

Where: Bretz Wildlife Lodge and Winery, 4211 12th St. (Illinois 127) in Carlyle.

When: Doors open at 2 p.m.; music begins at 3 p.m. and ends at midnight.

Admission: Tickets cost $15 for one person or $25, including an Effic CD ($100 deluxe packages also are available).

Information: Visit www.efficmusic.com, www.events@wildlifelodgeandwinery.com or www.wdlj.com.