Benefit concert to bring necessities to Haiti

By Jaime Thomas

LiHigh student Tom Becker is putting on a benefit concert in Poultney next Friday, April 5, but instead of money he wants everyone to bring toiletries.

Brand-new, unopened toiletries, that is.

The senior has organized Music to Make a Difference as his capstone project at LiHigh School.

“Basically the seniors of the school need to pick a thing that they can individually organize and follow through with. The project could be a community thing; it just needs to be something that makes an impact,” Becker said.

After trying to come up with a project idea for a while, Becker came up with a perfect idea. He is going to Haiti with his family next month to help build a school and deliver beans and rice to outlaying villages.

“The thing with Haiti is they are always lacking medical supplies. My mother, being a nurse practitioner, planted the seed in my mind to create a project to raise medical supplies — simple things like toothbrushes, toothpaste, bandages and other things like that,” Becker said in an email.

He then turned to something he thinks Poultney has a lot of — music.

“There is a lot of really good talent here and lots of local musicians; everyone enjoys music in this town,” he said. And instead of an admission fee, Becker wants attendees to bring medical supplies. When he goes to Haiti, he will bring those necessities and deliver them to a hospital there.

The all-ages event, which takes place at the Poultney Small Business Center, will feature three bands. First will be John Gillette and Sarah Middlefelt, they will be followed by Spruce Knob Uprising and Ryan Dubois will round out the night.

“I hope people will come out and enjoy it and enjoy helping people they’ve never met,” Becker said.

For more information about the concert contact LiHigh School at 802-287-2411.