Anna church concert will benefit Relay for Life

ANNA, Ill. -- Anna Heights Baptist Church spends its year helping the American Cancer Society and the Relay for Life. Saturday the Illinois church will hold its largest fundraiser for the charity. The church will host its fifth annual Southern gospel Gaither-style concert to benefit the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. The Gaither-style concert will have old-time Southern Gospel tunes. The concert format originated in the 1990s when Christian music icons Bill and Gloria Gaither called together several renowned gospel singers for one large concert in order to help preserve the old-time gospel music. The concert was videotaped and even in rough form, their video, "Reunion," became a worldwide phenomenon. Bill and Gloria Gaither and Their Homecoming Friends, with music from other Southern gospel choirs, groups and soloists, now perform Gaither-style concerts to sellout crowds all over the world. Church congregations like Anna Heights also gather their musical soloists, groups, bands and choirs to perform concerts for their congregations featuring the old time gospel tunes. The concert is open to all denominations, and a love offering will be collected. All proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, a philanthropy the church supports throughout the year. "There's not one person who has not been touched by cancer, and our church is no exception," said Sheila Middleton, a performer and an Anna Heights church member. "Relay for Life is huge in our area." The church's band will begin the evening in the church sanctuary at 6:15 p.m., followed by their version of a Gaither-style concert at 6:30 p.m. The two-hour concert features music from the church band, the church choir, smaller groups and individual performances, including Polly Waddell Launay and Lee Brothers. Polly Waddell Launay is a classically trained violinist from Mount Vernon, Ill., formally on staff at the famous Christ Church in Nashville, Tenn. She plays a variety of music from classical to bluegrass. Lee Brothers is also well known throughout the region as a steel guitarist. Other local gospel talent scheduled to perform are the Fortner family, the Sander Sisters and the Rev. Donald Sanders from Missouri and The Wheaton Family, The Goins Family and The Colesons from Southern Illinois. Many more are scheduled to perform. The centerpiece of the concert, however, will be the church choir. "The true heart of the concert is the church choir," Middleton said. Last year's choir had more than 40 members. This year's choir is expected to top 50 members. The church's 2010 concert raised more than $1,100, all of which went to Relay for Life. Every year the fundraiser has grown in participants, attendees and donations. Last year the event welcomed around 20 churches from three states. The American Cancer Society's Relay for Life raises money through team relays to remember and support those who struggle with cancer. Money raised also goes toward cancer research. Since its formation in 1985, Relay for Life has raised more than $3 billion from 21 countries. Those unable to attend will be able to experience the event eventually. The complete concert will be recorded by a professional video production company. Once edited the videos may be purchased for $20, proceeds going to help defray event costs. The Anna Heights Baptist Church is at 100 Turner Ave. in Anna. For more information, contact the church at 618-614-0336.