$5 Live Band Cancer Fundraiser Set for Johnsburg Saturday

A note reader Ron Bieber asked me to share. I am pleased to do so.

Cal –

My name is Ron Bieber and I am writing to you in the hopes that you can write a blog entry around a cancer benefit we are doing this Saturday from 2p-11p called Walla-Pa-Looza.

For some background, Walla-Pa-Looza was founded in May of 2009 when its founder (and a high school friend), Craig Wallace was planning a party at his house. We know quite a few bands and he was talking to some of them about playing at this party.

The party wound up getting kind of large and his wife decided they should probably not have it at their house. At the same time, she had bought Craig the book “Always Looking Up : The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist” by Michael J. Fox which he was reading.

As they were sitting watching TV and talking one night, the subject of the economy came up and its effects on charities that they donated to. Craig decided he was going to start his own to benefit the American Cancer Society – and convert his party into a funds drive for the cause.

He assembled a group of volunteers and organized the event over Facebook. His goal was to create a family friendly event that would raise money that we could donate to the American Cancer Society.

Over time, we secured a group of corporate sponsors, along with many donations for goods for silent auctions, 50/50 auctions and other activities.

Four bands donated their time to play during the event:

  • Blush,
  • Peter and the Versatiles,
  • Danny and the Devils, and
  • Always Frantic (the last of which was the band that played at the July 4th fireworks in McHenry this year).

On July 27, 2009, we received the news that one of the members of the organizations step-son, Zakary Woods, had been diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma, a form of cancer (press release here: http://www.walla-pa-looza.org/press/bionda.html).

This added a new dimension to the cause.

August 1 is the date of the event, which will be held at the Johnsburg Community Club (2315 W. Church Street, Johnsburg Illinois, McHenry County).

We’d like to get as many people there as possible to raise money for the American Cancer Society, as well as to fund a trust fund for Zak to help with costs of his treatment.

Almost everyone has been touched by cancer.

We’re trying to help and would really appreciate your help in getting the word out.

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The photo of Always Frantic was taken from its web site.


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