Friendship Manor to hold benefit for Austin Gee scholarship

[April 02, 2010]  Friendship Manor is hosting a benefit in honor of the scholarship fund and to the memory of Austin Gee. The dinner benefit will be on April 24 May 15 from 4 to 7 p.m. The dinner will be mostaccioli and will include garlic bread, salad, dessert and drink. There will also be a 50/50 drawing and a bake sale at the event. (Update: The benefit has been rescheduled to May 15.)

Austin Gee was a student at Chester-East Lincoln School and had a love for music before his untimely death. Austin played alto saxophone in the band at C-EL and also sang in the chorus.

Austin started playing saxophone in fifth grade and had a passion for music and playing. He participated in the IMEA Regional Music Festival by singing in the choir during his fifth-grade year and wanted to participate again in sixth grade. Many C-EL students have been inspired by Austin to join the music program.

Austin's Song is a scholarship fund that is being set up in his memory. The scholarship will help out students who are interested in joining band and will help those in need of a musical instrument by providing that instrument for the child. The hope for the scholarship fund is to annually award a student with a musical instrument.

To purchase advance tickets, you can contact Jerry or Jeramy at 217-732-9647. Tickets will also be available at the door.

[Text from file received]