Sales of merchandise at a Minot concert featuring the rock band Styx resulted in an $803 donation to NDAD March 22 from the musicians' own charity.

Our charitable nonprofit was designated by "Rock to the Rescue," itself a nonprofit founded in 2001 by Styx and another rock band, REO Speedwagon, originally to support families of 9/11 terrorism victims. In recent years, Rock to the Rescue gives grassroots support to nonprofits in cities where they tour, giving 25 percent of compact disc, DVD and guitar picks sold at their concerts. (More info about that charity at https://rocktotherescue.net/.)

The money will be used to purchase wheelchairs and knee walkers for Minot's share of short-term NDAD's Health Equipment Loan Program (HELP), says NDAD's client services representative in Minot, Marsha Dupré.

Marsha spoke from the stage to concertgoers before the concert and during the intermission about NDAD and the fundraiser. She and Lisa Cramer, also of NDAD's Minot office, along with several family members and friends, helped sell items before the show, during intermission and from a promotions table outside the North Dakota State Fair Event Center hall.

Merchandise buyers each received chances to win a pink electric guitar autographed by Styx band members. 

Thank you, Styx and Rock to the Rescue, for your donation to NDAD and its mission to help people with disabilities and health issues.

PHOTO: Lisa Cramer