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GILMER COUNTY -- Glenville First Baptist Church has been holding several summer benefit concerts for its cancer fund starting this past June.
"It started back during COVID when we were holding our revival with 12 churches in the area," Pastor John Putnam said. "During 2021, thanks to Sue and Mike Morris they provided us with the outdoor stage to keep everyone safe so we could have outdoor services. The result of those efforts were bringing people together and the community together. It was something positive during a time when the world needed positivity."
The events started last summer with concerts hosting Grand Ole Opry inductees The Issacs, Southern Gospel icon Ivan Parker and other local groups.
This year's concerts opened June 23 with American bluegrass singer Rhonda Vincent and The Rage, the Davisson Brothers and the Putnam Family. The event was free to the public.
A dinner by donation to the church cancer fund was available with hot dogs or BBQ sandwiches.
The Cancer Fund of Glenville First Baptist Church provides for cancer patients and any costs for their appointments. The fund has been around for 10 years and continues to grow.
"People are very generous and like to give to this cause and the cause is very prevalent here in West Virginia," Putnam said. "We not only give monetary support, but we also provide spiritual support."
The July 15 and 16 concerts benefited Glenville First Baptist Church's Vacation Bible School. The Vacation Bible School will end this year with the benefit concert, inflatables and other activities on August 5. Render the Heart, a contemporary worship band from Huntington, will perform.
The concert and activities will be free to the public.
"The goal is not to raise money, but to build community," Putnam said.
The last concert of the summer concert series is The Issacs on August 18.
Gretchen Dowler can be reached at gdowler@newsandsentinel.com.