 Jonathan Thomas, a junior at Hartem High School, attends Lincoln
Christian Church with a Lincoln Christian University student who has
said he wants to raise $1 million for Rapha House before he dies,
which he assumes won't happen for awhile. With that cause in mind,
Jonathan organized a battle of the bands at the Hartsburg American
Legion, hoping there would be a crowd to generate a good donation.
The turnout was not as expected, but the musicians who came
together for the evening were a picture of what Rapha House is about
-- people caring about people. Guitar players, drummers and singers
came from Minier, Hartsburg, Emden, Mason City, Atlanta and other
communities in the area. The bands were Red 5, an alternative group;
As Told by Ginger and Love/Lust, both acoustic; and Triumphal Entry
and The Sacred Eternal, both Christian rock. They plan to come
together again soon, with the next venue to be in Lincoln.
Rapha House, headquartered in Joplin, Mo., is a not-for-profit
organization that maintains safe houses and provides assistance for
child victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation around
the world. The mission is to offer food and shelter, health care,
education and vocational training for victims in order to give them
"a bridge to freedom."
Jonathan Thomas, who organized the fundraiser, isn't just a
student and drummer. He also plays mandolin and guitar and is a
hobby herpetologist. He raised Hog Island boa constrictors, a
species that has become extinct in its natural habitat off the coast
of Central America. He wants to become a zoologist.
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Jonathan's sister, Maddie, a freshman at Hartem High School,
served food and snacks during the event on Saturday. Other helpers
were Ed Tookes, Kendall Coffey and Alexis Hill. Jonathan's father,
Ross Thomas, helped with expenses of hall rental and to stock a
lunch counter. He was proud of his son for the event.
"He's a thoughtful young man," Ross said, "and we'll do this
again, but we'll do it differently. If we're going to make a
difference, it needs support from a wider audience. Besides that,
these guys are good musicians and people need to hear them play.
They're amazing, and there are more bands out there that could join
the effort. And, it's a good way to spend time together and support
a cause."
[By MARLA BLAIR]
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