JOPLIN, MO (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Though it is not uncommon for performing artists to use their talents to help raise funds for those affected by disaster, singer Jo Dee Messina has a personal motive behind her charitable efforts.
Messina announced that she plans to donate the proceeds from her June 25th concert at Pittsburgh’s Memorial Auditorium to the American Red Cross and the Joplin tornado victims. One of those victims is her longtime promoter and Joplin native Al Zar.
According to the Joplin Globe, Zar lost his home, barn and even his cows in the EF-5 tornado that devastated the Missouri town.
Before the storm, Zar and Messina had been working on a series of benefit concerts to help raise money for a non-profit school in Nashville, but when the school heard about Zar, they suggest that Messina donate money for the Pittsburgh show to her friend.
However, when Messina contacted Zar to tell him about the plan, the promoter told her, "You know what? It's not just me that’s gotten hit hard here. Everyone in Joplin just got slammed," which led to Messina reaching out to the Red Cross.
"I've done tons of benefit concerts over the years, St. Jude’s and (many) established charities,” Messina told the Joplin Globe. "But the way this one came about was just so authentic, so organic. It was just something where everyone was instantly onboard and wanting to help." – CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
