Compassion for Campers Client to Headline Crystal Lake Benefit

Compassion for Campers (C4C), the program that provides essential gear and equipment to the unhoused and underhoused, is presenting a special benefit program. Compassion for Campers is Counting On You will be held at Crystal Lake Brewing, 190 North Main Street, Crystal Lake on Wednesday, August 30 from 6 to 9 pm.

A Woodstock based musician, composer, arranger, and producer who performs as G Man—A Kaleidoscope of Sounds produced by Gregory John Garrison will be the headline performer. Garrison is a Compassion for Campers client who was made homeless after a series of personal disasters—water damage at his own recording studio, a car accident which wrecked his vehicle and caused financial ruin, and the Coronavirus pandemic which forced the closure of his studio and loss of some equipment making him homeless. Despite this he has maintained a positive attitude and worked to rebuild his life. In his own words “with the help of Compassion for Campers, Warp Corp in Woodstock, Willow Crystal Lake, and my faith in God,” he is currently in temporary housing in Woodstock. He performs all original compositions on synthesizers and the work he will be showcasing at the benefit was composed on laptops in MacDonald’s over the last three years.

The program will also feature veteran folk singer Norm Siegel, vocalist and guitarist Carrie MacDonald, and will be hosted by Ron Relic.

According to coordinator and spokesperson Patrick Murfin, Compassion for Campers which distributes its supplies at the Community Services Days at Willow Friendship Center, 100 South Main Street in Crystal Lake on the first and third Fridays of every month is in dire need of operating funds to meet the mounting numbers of people and families displaced from housing in McHenry County.

A $25 donation is requested for admission at the door and includes a ticket for a beer at the bar. The evening will include silent auction baskets and gift cards, a 50-50 raffle, and hors d’oeuvres/finger food.

Compassion for Campers is an independent ministry of the Tree Of Life Unitarian Universalist Congregation in McHenry with the support of other churches, organizations, and individuals. It is entirely dependent on generous donations or fundraisers to supply the nearly $1000 needed to purchase supplies for each distribution. The congregation holds a special dedicated account for C4C that cannot be used for any other purpose and donates all administrative services, so all available funds go directly to client needs.

For more information visit the Facebook Event at https://tinyurl.com/3re734vj, on the web at https://tinyurl.com/Compassion-for-Campers or contact Patrick Murfin a pmurfin@sbcglobal.net or 815 814-5645.