BELIEV-ing the Show Must Go On

Just when planning for the fifth annual Generosity Rocks concert, sponsored by 's Bettering Each Life In Every Visit—or BELIEV Club, was hitting its most crucial point, Club President Rachel Gordon had to step back.

In an attempt to avoid an auto accident, she suffered a contré coup concussion—she didn't hit her head, her mother, Jill, explained, but the violence of the accident aggravated previous concussion injuries.

The treatment? Rest...and no texting, no computers, no phones.

It's tough to organize a major fundraising event like the April 27 Generosity Rocks event at Watchung Hills Regional when you're limited like that. Fortunately, the club's board, including John Marques, Lauren Pagliocco, Dana DiSarno, Sianna Simon and Jennifer's sister Jennifer, was up to the task.

So the show will go on as planned next week, with entertainment and activities for younger children starting at 5 p.m., followed by a 10-band lineup of area bands set to take the stage beginning at 6:30 p.m.

By the end of the night, the concert could raise as much as $7,000 as in past concerts for the Children's Specialized Hospital in Mountainside, from the $10 admission and other activities benefitting the hospital.

The event caps the BELIEV Club's year, which is dedicated to helping the children in the hospital. Club members make regular visits to the hospital to provide comfort and attention to the young patients, in addition to helping raise money for it. 

Rachel has been a strong advocate for the hospital and for the club: as a former Children's Specialized Hospital patient, she knows how important it is.

"She wanted to give back because she had been a patient," Jill Gordon said.

And giving back she was: as president of the club, she'd spent much of the last year organizing the Generosity Rocks event. There were musical acts to select and coordinate (30 bands auditioned to perform), food vendors to locate, games to plan...

"This is a year-long effort to prepare for the concerts," Jill Gordon said. "They're really hustling now. It's a little crazy."

This article was edited to correct an error in the sisters' names and positions with the club board.