Although the theme is different, the two big annual fundraisers will be held on consecutive Saturdays and that's keeping organizer Leonard Eisert busy.
Eisert is a member of the Veterans Council of Northwest Arkansas, the group responsible for Bella Vista's Veterans Wall of Honor. He's also a former foster child who knows firsthand the importance of Court Appointed Special Advocates. In May he's working on fundraisers for both organizations.
The JM Band, led by Ron Thurston, is also involved in both events.
The first one, a concert in honor of Armed Forces Day, is planned for May 21. It is a fund-raiser for the Veterans Wall of Honor. Eisert has helped organize annual concerts for years, but they used to try and hold them on Pearl Harbor Day in early December. Weather is a factor in December, he explained, and it's a busy month for almost everyone. The spring date draws a bigger crowd.
"It will be patriotic music," Thurston said, "featuring the music of Irving Berlin... Many people will recognize the songs."
The JM Band has 17 members who play all over the region including at casinos and events like the Fayetteville High School class reunion.
The band used to be known as the Jack Mitchell band, Thurston said, but Jack Mitchell moved away and asked Thurston to take over management. There are other bands headquartered in Bella Vista, he explained, including the Bella Vista Big Band and the community band. The three share some members, Thurston said, and are often confused.
Thurston will be a speaker at the Armed Forces Day show along with Jim Hendren, a state senator and an Air Force veteran.
The Wall of Honor has about $10,000 a year in maintenance expenses, Eisert said, and the concert is their biggest fundraiser.
The council is considering additions to the property by Lake Bella Vista, now that the VFW post is gone. Eisert would like to see a short, handicapped-accessible walking trail that allows for a view of Sugar Creek. He also plans to have benches, each one honoring a different aspect of military life along the trail. Since the Wall is filled, and there are still requests from families to add names, bricks may be sold. The inscribed bricks wouldn't be walked on, he said, but they might line either side of a concrete path.
In 2011, when work was done at the Wall, Eisert read a story in the American Legion magazine that provided him with a second worthy cause.
CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocate, provides volunteers to connect with foster children and speak for them in court.
Eisert, a former foster child who joined the Army to escape the foster-care system, understands the need for CASAs. He lived with several foster families that used him for free labor, he said.
The fundraiser that will help support the local CASA office also features the JM Band, but it's not a concert. The Spring Swing & Salsa on May 28 is a dance. Special guests are coming from Elayne's Dance, a social dance studio, to perform as well.
The JM Band will have their own special guest, Fernando Valencia, a Spanish drummer.
"It should be a very good show and it's free," Thurston said.
The Bella Vista POA is a sponsor for both events. They donate the use of Riordan Hall and will stay open late on both Saturdays. They also do some of the printing for Eisert.
The Armed Forces day concert begins at 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 21.
Spring Swing and Salsa begins at 7 on Saturday, May 28.
The Veterans Wall of Honor is located across the parking lot from Lake Bella Vista and is lit for evening viewing. The website is veteransmonumentbellavistaar.org.
General News on 04/27/2016