A number of the region's top musicians will visit Browndale next weekend to raise money for a beloved member of the greater Forest City community.
On Sunday, July 28, the volunteer fire companies of Browndale and Forest City will hold an all-day benefit concert for Patrick Sherry, a volunteer fireman for both companies who is undergoing cancer treatments. The event will take place at Browndale Fireman's Ball Field off Route 247, with music starting at 11 a.m. and not ending until 8 p.m.
Slated to take the stage at the concert are Hitchin' Cricket, Powerglyde, Mojo, Phyllis Hopkins Electric Trio, Matt Bennick and the Blues Mine, Rogue Chimp and Old Friends. Additional entertainment will be provided between sets by John Quinn, Jim Carro and comedian Paul Dudrich, performing as Father Paul.
Tickets to the concert, which will include basket raffles and 50-50 drawings, are $25 in advance and $30 at the door, with children 12 and under able to attend for free. Hot dogs, hamburgers, sides, soft drinks and water will be provided with admission, while attendees can provide their own alcoholic beverages.
Mr. Sherry's cancer started with a large tumor on his neck, then spread to his lungs. Since his diagnosis about two months ago, he has undergone chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
To make matters worse, the Vandling resident was laid off from his job at General Dynamics more than a year ago and, until recently, didn't have insurance. Meanwhile, right around the time of his diagnosis, his beloved dog died of cancer, and a car crashed into his front porch.
The news of Mr. Sherry's illness devastated his many friends in the community. Mr. Sherry is the type of guy who would drop whatever he's doing to assist a friend in need, said event committee member and volunteer fireman Jim Richards.
"Pat puts everyone first," Mr. Richards said. "Pat has a lot of friends. It's a small community and people want to help out."
Not long after Mr. Sherry's diagnosis, Mr. Richards and several other friends decided to hold a fundraiser to help the Sherry family with medical costs and other expenses that have arisen since the illness.
The idea for the concert came from local musician Bill Coleman, Mr. Sherry's longtime next-door neighbor.
"Pat's the kind of guy, when there's a snowstorm at night, he's the one who has everyone's sidewalks all done by the morning," Mr. Coleman said.
Mr. Coleman quickly started calling fellow musicians throughout the area. Most were receptive, and, before long, he had put together "a great lineup."
"We just hope to get some people there for a day of good music and fundraising," Mr. Coleman said. "We've got people coming in from Washington, D.C., Baltimore, New York. It's not just for people in the greater Forest City area."
Mr. Sherry's wife, Melody, said the support from the community has been "overwhelming" for her and her husband.
"It's just wonderful," she said. "It's tough for us to receive, because we're always the ones giving."
The Sherrys recently received some good news. Mr. Sherry's doctors informed him that the chemo is successfully shrinking the nodules on his lungs.
"Things are looking up," Mrs. Sherry said. "We have a great outlook and lots of support."
Contact the writer: jmcauliffe@timesshamrock.com, @jmcauliffeTT on TwitterIf you go
What: Patrick Sherry Benefit Concert
Where: Browndale Fireman's Ball Field, Route 247, Browndale
When: Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Details: Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door, and includes hot dogs, hamburgers, sides, soda and water. Admission for children 12 and under is free.
n Advance tickets can be purchased online at patsherrybenefit.ticketbud.com/tickets, or at the following locations: Dave's Smoke Shop, 509 Main St., Forest City, Hornbeck Chevrolet, 400 Main St., Forest City, Red Cross Pharmacy, 425 Main St., Forest City, Ms. Marie's Salon, 203 Oak St., Vandling, and Northeast Music Center, 713 Scranton-Carbondale Highway, Dickson City.
n Adults 21 and over can take their own alcoholic beverages (glass bottles are not allowed), as well as their own food, lawn chairs and canopies. Pets are not allowed.
For more information: visit patsherrybenefit.org, or the event's Facebook page.
Source: http://thetimes-tribune.com/lifestyles/day-long-music-event-to-help-browndale-man-1.1522569
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