Artists donate time to help Celebrate HOPE fundraiser

As the celebrity ambassador for the Susan G. Komen foundation, country music artist Candy Coburn is no stranger to performing for a cause.

So when the Dexter, Mo., native was approached by sister Chantelle Becking to perform at Saturday evening's Celebrate HOPE fundraiser, she was more than happy to oblige.

"My sister has been a huge part of Heart for Africa," Coburn said. "I'm so proud of my sister and what she's doing."

Heart for Africa is a faith-based charity providing homes and care for children in Africa.

Becking, who along with other local volunteers put on Saturday's event, welcomed guests to the program at The Venue in Cape Girardeau.

"Just by being here, you're making a difference in Africa," Becking told the sold-out gathering of 600.

Organizers say 100 percent of the fundraiser's proceeds will go toward building a clinic in Swaziland that will provide medical and dental care for residents of the African nation that has been ravaged by HIV/AIDS.

A life expectancy in Swaziland of only 32 has resulted in an extremely large number of orphans. Last year's Celebrate HOPE fundraiser was part of an effort that raised more than $125,000 to build a children's home that is scheduled to open in September. Named El Roi, which in Hebrew means "the God who sees me," the orphanage is being built on a 2,500-acre tract in Swaziland called Project Canaan, owned by Heart for Africa.

While Coburn provided musical entertainment for the event, Atlanta artist Brian Keith Daniel gave the crowd a live painting demonstration. Starting with a five-by-eight-foot canvas with shades of blue and the word "HOPE," Daniel transformed the canvas into a piece of art based on the Gospel account of Jesus' resurrection of the daughter of Jairus. The live painting took about 10 minutes.

Daniel, who says he does charity paintings five or six times a year, normally takes only about five minutes to do a live painting.

"The one tonight takes me a little bit longer because it's a one-of-a-kind," Daniel said. "I created it just for tonight."

Daniel's artwork was one of the 11 items donated to be sold at the oral auction. Among the other oral auction items sold were a leather stage coat worn and signed by music star Sheryl Crow and a baseball bat autographed by Chicago Cub infielder Blake DeWitt, a native of Sikeston, Mo.

A silent auction took place throughout the evening, with 123 items sold. Included in the silent auction were items donated by local merchants and signed memorabilia by music and sports figures such as Crow, St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Colby Rasmus, Southeast Missouri State University football coach Tony Samuel and country music singer Carrie Underwood.

The amount of money raised at the event wasn't known at press time, but organizers said they were hopeful of surpassing last year's total.