Country Superstars Playing Concert At Chicago Theatre To Benefit Veterans' Families
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Country music stars including "The Bandy Perry," Dierks Bentley and Hunter Hayes are holding a big concert at the Chicago Theatre Wednesday night called "Stars and Strings."
Some the money from ticket sales is going to fund scholarships for the children of veterans.
CBS 2's Vince Gerasole reports the all-acoustic show is all sold out and it helps the families of fallen and wounded soldiers pay for college.
The Stars and Strings concert features 11 country superstars all on one stage. Among them, the man registered the best-selling debut album of 2013: Kip Moore.
"Anytime you know you that you are playing something that's taking care of the people that have taken care of us, that's definitely a special feeling," Moore said.
As artists like The Band Perry get ready for a unique acoustical night, their music underscores a program aiding the families of fallen vets.
"Obviously the scholarship that I received from them was a huge financial relief," said Sarah White.
White's complete college tuition was paid by the Folds of Honor program. Donations fund scholarships for the families of vets who were wounded or died in service. Her father Captain Dennis White died when his F-15 crashed. She was just six and she holds on to good memories.
"Every night before we'd go to bed, he would start at the bottom of the stairs he would put us on his back and countdown from ten and go blasting up the stairs like a rocket ship," White said.
There are 1.5 million depends of those who've served in Iraq or Afghanistan, of those nine out of ten don't qualify for federal assistance. That's where Folds of Honor steps in and young adults, like the daughter of Captain Dennis White are grateful.
"It's hard to express that level of gratitude because words don't do it justice but I know that he would be really proud and just really thankful that people are stepping in to take care of his little ones," Sarah White said.
To date Folds of Honor has raised more than $70 million and awarded some 10,000 scholarships. For more information on the program, visit www.foldsofhonor.org.
The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. and will air live on CBS radio. CBS is the parent company for CBS 2 and CBS Radio.
