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 Though the program is sponsored by the church, it is more about
families than religion. Bennett said one reason the concerts are not
being presented in a church setting is that some families,
especially those who do not attend church or don't attend the
Presbyterian Church, might be dissuaded to attend.
In addition to helping provide family activities in the
community, Bennett is also using this event to help a cause that she
feels very strongly about: Together for Lincoln.
Together for Lincoln is a nondenominational, faith-based
community service organization that each summer brings together
literally hundreds of volunteers who go throughout the city doing
work for those who are unable to do it themselves.
Recipients of the services may be those who need projects
completed but are unable to do them due to age or physical
impairments, or those who are financially unable to pay for needed
services.
Examples of work that has been done in the past are building of
wheelchair ramps, house painting, lawn cleanup, trimming of shrubs,
hauling away trash and much more.
In addition, some groups are dispersed throughout the city to
assist in cleaning up and picking up trash in local parks, and yet
others spend the day visiting shut-ins at local nursing homes or
retirement facilities.
Bennett said she feels that the organization does some vital work
in the Lincoln community.
In addition, many times the volunteers are families working side
by side on projects.
She added that as members of the Lincoln Christian Church, she
and her husband Christopher have participated in the event each year
and have seen firsthand the good that is being done in the
community.
In order to help Together for Lincoln do its work again this
summer, Bennett is donating the proceeds of the Thursday evening
concert ticket sales to that organization.
Bennett is well recognized in the Lincoln area as a performer,
singing contemporary gospel as well as soft country and easy
listening music.
She began singing when she was a mere child and recalls singing
special music at the age of 5 in her home church in Herrin, where
she was raised.
Bennett said that after receiving her education in mortuary
science, she went to work at a funeral home in Springfield, where
she met her husband, Christopher, who is a native of Lincoln.
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In April of 2004 they purchased the Kingdom Life Ministries
building at 620 Pulaski St. and converted it to the Bennett Funeral
Home. Later they purchased the Holland & Barry Funeral Home and
merged the two businesses into one as Holland Barry and Bennett
Funeral Home
In 2007 Lesleigh got an opportunity to record an album for
Daywind Studios in Nashville, Tenn. Her first album was titled "No
Mountain Too High."
Oddly, this opportunity came to Bennett via the funeral home.
Daywind is the recording studio that produces the music of
well-known gospel and contemporary singer Amy Grant. It happened
that Grant came to Lincoln, to the Bennetts' funeral home, when her
personal assistant lost a family member who lived locally. Bennett
said she spent time with Grant, and upon returning to Daywind in
Nashville, Grant encouraged the record producers to contact Bennett.
Daywind is now preparing to release Bennett's second album. She
said all of the songs on the second album were written by Peck Music
Group, the writers for Karen Peck & New River.
That group has received numerous award nominations, including a
Grammy award nomination for their album "Journey of Joy" in 2008.
The album has had three consecutive No. 1 songs: "Hey," "Last Night"
and "Whispered Prayers."
Bennett said Karen Peck heard her singing through Daywind and
contacted her with an offer of her writing team for the next album.
Bennett said the concert Thursday night should last about an
hour. She hopes that folks will come out not only to enjoy some
wholesome entertainment, but also to support Together for Lincoln as
they prepare for this summer's events.
[By NILA SMITH]
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