A Christmas for Cottonwood

When charity and Christmas are put together, people generally expect to hear "Little Drummer Boy" and "O Holy Night" played with bells and trumpets or even electric guitars.

Some prefer to hear teenagers screaming their lungs into microphones, while others prefer to watch seasoned guitarists belt out rhythm and blues.

For Sunday's Christmas Hoot, more than 20 bands performed to raise funds for the Cottonwood Treatment Center, which provides residential treatment for emotionally disturbed children

The proceeds will provide residents with gift certificates that will allow them to buy whatever they need over the holidays. Because the turnover of residents is so constant, people do not automatically think of the center for buying Christmas gifts, said Bob Camp, coordinator of the Christmas Hoot, which started in 1991. "I was looking for a last-minute charity because musicians are always last-minute," Camp said.

Organizers were hoping to raise more than $1,500 at this year's Christmas Hoot.

While the Christmas Hoot has been around for some time, a few of the bands were new to the event."It's a rush to be on stage and it kind of continues when you get off because you know you were doing something good," said Echelon guitarist Chris Philipps, 18, of Jackson.

The band did not initially know about the charity aspect when they were booked to play at The Camp, Philipps said, but they got excited when they found out the gig was a benefit.

"It just kind of proves our parents wrong when they say we're just wasting our time," said Echelon lead vocalist Travis Randolph, 18, of Oran, Mo.

Breakaway's, Broussard's, Buckner's Brewing Co. and River City Yacht Club contributed money and collected donations from people in the audience. The Camp was the only downtown Cape Girardeau venue to have a cover charge because it allowed all ages into the room.

Fourteen-year-olds Brittany Kinder and Tiffany Heck of Cape Girardeau heard about the opportunity for any age to enter while they were at Westfield Shoppingtown West Park.

"We just know that there's rock music playing, so we came," Kinder said.

Only after arriving did they learn that the cover charge was going to Cottonwood, which makes it "worth it," Heck said, and people would be more willing to listen to the bands if they realized that they played for a cause.

"Even though they scream and holler into the mic, they're tender-hearted inside," Heck said.

jmetelski@semissourian.com

335-6611 extension 127