Overcoming tragedy with triumph, the St. Clair County chapter of the American Red Cross teamed up with area entertainers to put on a benefit concert for citizens of St. Clair County affected by the tornado. Working towards recovery since April 27, communities devastated by the tornado have a long road ahead of them, but with the help of neighbors they are making possibilities out of a seemingly impossible situation.

Peggy Mann, the American Red Cross Director for St. Clair and Talladega counties, gave all the accolades to Ohatchee resident Charles Ogle. “He’s phenomenal. Charles is the one who got this event going,” Mann said. “We’re excited about this benefit concert. This type of event showcases the way helping your neighbor is supposed to be.”

Ogle, a Calhoun County resident was impacted by the April 27 tornadoes and Larry Willis, a member of the singing group Memory Lane with Ogle and a St. Clair County citizen, knew they wanted to help by doing what they do best — sing. Partnering with Metro Bank and Gilreath Printing made their dream a reality, Ogle said. “So many things go into an event like this. Our sponsors were all in favor of this from the beginning.”

Pre-sale tickets were sold at Metro Bank while staff members of the St. Clair County American Red Cross sold tickets at the door for $10. The benefit concert took place Saturday at the Pell City Center with 100 percent of the proceeds going to St. Clair County tornado relief. “The Pell City Center is really proud to be facilitating this concert. Giving back to the community is what the Pell City Center is all about,” Pell City Center Executive Director Kathy McCoy said.

Supporters of rebuilding their county and helping their neighbors filled the Pell City Center auditorium to be entertained by Roger Dale Parks, Sally Garnett, Jina Wilkinson and music of the Statler Brothers and The Oak Ridge Boy as performed by Memory Lane.

The crowd was clapping and toe-tapping as the warm-up acts sang songs such as Martina McBride’s “Do It Anyway,” Josh Turner’s “Why Don’t We Just Dance” and The Temptations’ “My Girl.” Prepping concertgoers for a more in-depth trip down memory lane, attendees were ready for the main act.

Memory Lane took the stage and transformed the Pell City Center to a time and place where life was simple and worries were at a minimum. Singing songs like the Statler Brothers’ “Flowers on the Wall”   and The Oak Ridge Boys’ “It Takes A Little Time To Make Love Grow,” Ogle commented, “Life is all about having a beautiful family and a lot of good music.”

Raising close to $1,000, Ogle ended the benefit supporters’ stroll down memory lane by saying, “We’re here tonight because of a lot of prayer. If you don’t believe in the power of prayer, you’re strongly mistaken.”

Thrilled to have the honor to help those in need, Ogle concluded, “The money raised here tonight is appreciated by the citizens of St. Clair County; that I can guarantee.”

For additional ways to donated to the St. Clair County Chapter of the American Red Cross visit, www.alredcross.org.