MATTHEWS, Mo. -- A music-filled, daylong community event will once again raise funds for local residents with serious illnesses.
Big Prairie Jaycees in Matthews will host the third annual "Rockin' for a Mission" fundraiser from noon to midnight June 17 at the Big Prairie Jaycees Community Building in Matthews. Live music, a silent auction, food and other activities for children are planned.
"People, in general, want to help people who are in a bad place," said Big Prairie Jaycee and event chairman Ben Pyle. "Most people have dealt with something similar or were in the same position and relied upon other people to help them, and they received help -- monetary or support -- and I think this area likes to pick each other up."
"Rockin' for a Mission" has become Big Prairie Jaycees' second largest fundraiser, with it's largest being the annual Matthews Community Day in September.
"When I thought it up, I didn't think it would progress and be what it is. It's consistently gotten better, and, hopefully, this year we'll raise even more than the first two," Pyle said.
Pyle explained how the fundraiser got its start in 2015.
"I used to be in a local band, and my dad who was also a Jaycee ended up being diagnosed with cancer," Pyle recalled. "I had a few band buddies who wanted to play a benefit concert for him and raise money. I was involved with the Jaycees and brainstormed and came up with the 'Rockin' for a Mission.'"
The initial event featured 10 bands/musicians and raised about $6,800. It benefited not only Pyle's father, who is currently in remission, but two other community who were battling cancer and the American Cancer Society.
In its second year, over $4,200 was raised.
"Last year we helped three individuals as well, and we had 10 bands of mostly the same people from the prior year," Pyle said, adding a donation was also made to Hope Exchange in New Madrid.
Pyle said proceeds have been divided 30-30-30-percent between the individuals and 10 percent to an organization.
"We have hand-delivered funds to each recipient, and they've been ecstatic," Pyle said. "It wouldn't matter if we took them a dollar; they're grateful. They're in tough positions with medical bills and not being able to work and having to provide for their families. In these situations, you have to pay the bills to keep the head above water; it's a struggle for sure. Any type of illness that is serious is going to be detrimental to your finances. Once you hit your finances, there become other issues."
This year's recipients of the event's proceeds are Jimmy Fowler of Matthews, Karen Curtis of Sikeston and Scott Shipley of Whitewater.
"Scott is local to the region. He's been a fellow musician who's played the event for the past two years," Pyle said, adding Shipley, a diabetic, has been very ill this year.
This year there won't be a contribution to an organization, but the Jaycees are coordinating a raffle to help area flood victims, Pyle said.
Perfomers include: Used and Refused, North of Knoxall, Jennifer Morgan, Fusion Blue, Chris Welch, Fault Line, Bobby and Jennifer Henderson and Jamie Gooch.
"We have a good variety of music -- rock'n' roll, blues, country and really anything -- planned," he said. "The whole day is laid back."
Those who attend aren't only from Matthews; they come from Sikeston, New Madrid, East Prairie, Portageville, Dexter and other places, Pyle said.
"We don't charge anything to come to the event. We set out a basket for donations. We have a silent auction of items donated by local businesses and individuals, and that's where the majority of the money has been raised," Pyle said.
The event takes place indoors and outdoors, and there are activities for all ages, he said, including a bouncy house for children and bean bag toss for adults.
"Last year we started a baking competition called 'dessert-a-thon,' and we raised a good amount of money on that," he said.
Hot dogs, hamburgers and drinks will be available for a nominal cost, Pyle said.
"This is a family-friendly event," Pyle said. "We're not charging an arm and leg and hopefully, people will come out and give to the heart of the cause."
Information will also be on hand for individuals coping with cancer or other serious illnesses, Pyle said.
"It's not necessarily a day to try and raise money for the people chosen for that year; it's a day for anyone dealing with this type of a deal and to be around people who've dealt with illness recently or in the past. It's a camaraderie or group support," Pyle said.
The reason the Jaycees have seen such success with the event, Pyle said, is because most people genuinely want to help others.
"Some aren't in the (financial) position to help much, but they want to do all they can," Pyle said. "We're happy that people come out and show their support, and that's really been the satisfaction with it -- that people have come out and supported the event and made the day into something that can continue to roll each year."