Concert, Raffle and Silent Auction to Benefit Lucy Daniels Center

Raleigh, N.C.—One in five children in the United States will have a significant emotional or social challenge. That's more than will face childhood asthma or obesity, yet many children who need care aren't getting it.

This year, Band Together NC has selected the Lucy Daniels Center for Early Childhood as the beneficiary of its fundraising efforts, which include a raffle, silent auction and benefit concert to be held June 6, rain or shine, in front of Lincoln Theatre in downtown Raleigh. The concert lineup will include such regionally and nationally known artists as Rusted Root, The Rosebuds and Chatham County Line, with a special late-night party featuring Hobex.

"The Lucy Daniels Center did an excellent job of presenting to our Board of Directors the magnitude of the issue of children's mental health," said Danny Rosin, president and co-founder of Band Together NC. "In the Triangle area alone, more than 50,000 kids under the age of 11 may be impacted by a mental health challenge and we felt that Band Together could make a positive, lasting impact to address those issues."

Children who do not get help for social or emotional challenges at an early age often experience school failure, and may face incarceration, economic insecurity and unnecessary disabilities later in life. Unfortunately, they don't often get the assistance they need because of social stigmas associated with mental health, the growing trend toward treating children with drugs that often mask emotional problems, and lack of insurance coverage for treatment.

The Lucy Daniels Center for Early Childhood serves on the front lines assisting children 11 years old or younger who are having behavioral or social difficulties or showing signs of emotional problems through mental health assessments, family counseling, therapy in both one-on-one and classroom settings, and early childhood programs. The Center's staff of more than 30 social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, psychoanalysts and early childhood educators offers individualized care for each child and family. Services are provided both at the Lucy Daniels Center in Cary and in families' homes. Families pay for services based on a sliding-income scale. More than 90 percent of families pay less than the full cost of services and nearly one quarter receive services free of charge.

"Due to the current economic downturn, there is a growing need for the services we provide," said Joyce Watkins King, director of development for the Lucy Daniels Center. "We're anticipating that the state will cut spending for mental health services, which may lead to some programs being eliminated or severely cut back. Also, we're seeing more and more kids who are experiencing anxiety or fear because their parents have lost or may lose their jobs."

In the eight years since its creation, Band Together NC has raised almost $600,000 for local charities from contributing sponsors and ticket sales. The presenting sponsor this year is Cargill.

So far this year, Band Together has raised more than $95,000 toward its goal of raising $115,000 for the Lucy Daniels Center. The fundraising and festivities will culminate with the June 6 concert, where attendees will also have the opportunity to bid on a variety of silent auction items and enter a raffle to win a guitar signed by this year's performers. The funds raised will go directly to help more children and families get the critical mental health services they need.

Tickets for the event can be purchased in advance for $20 or on day of show for $25. VIP tickets are $125. Sponsorships begin at the $125 level. Event attendees must be 21 years or older. Doors open at 5 p.m.

To purchase tickets, or for more information on Band Together NC, visit www.bandtogethernc.org.

Related Links

1. http://www.bandtogethernc.org
2. http://www.lucydanielscenter.org