Local musicians performing in benefit for fire victims

Local musicians will give a benefit performance at the Ice House Cafe in Evergreen to help raise funds for victims of the Lower North Fork Fire.

The Pat Travis and Roger Falter Duo and Open Space will join Joe Bye with his blend of Americana, alternative folk, acoustic and roots rock at the Ice House on Sunday, May 20, from 5 to 8:30 p.m.

All proceeds from the “Neighbors to Neighbors” event will be donated to the Mountain Resource Center, the Conifer-based organization that serves people in crisis. MRC recently has been assisting people affected by the devastating wildfire in late March, which destroyed more than 20 homes, took the lives of three residents and burned more than 4,000 acres of land.

“With the recent fire, we all have this pull on our hearts,” said Evergreen resident Cindy Duffy, who is co-organizing the event with her partner, Doug Lempke. “We can play a big role in making sure the MRC has the resources it needs to continue to provide vital services to these families while being ready to respond to the next natural disaster in our area,” Duffy said.

The event also will feature a silent auction with goods and services donated by local businesses. Those who come to the fund-raiser will have an opportunity to bid on more than 20 items, including art pieces, jewelry with a Southwestern flavor, and a barbecue grill. A beginning fly-fishing course is also among the offerings.

“We will try to have a wide range of price points for people,” said Duffy. “We’re very excited about that.”

Duffy said she and Lempke came up with the idea for the fund-raiser after landing the two-hour period at the Ice House in a silent auction for Blue Spruce Habitat for Humanity.

“We said that we want to do something good with this,” said Duffy. “I wanted to find some group who had been on the front lines and found Mountain Resource Center.”

The $10 admission price to the fund-raiser is a bargain to hear such talented performers, said Duffy. Bye performs at the Ice House the first Friday of each month.

“He’s a wonderful, generous person,” said Duffy, while also expressing her appreciation to the other musicians who readily volunteered their time.

“Twenty years ago, the community created the Mountain Resource Center to respond to families in crisis,” said Sharon Schrage, CEO of the organization. “Most days our work goes on behind the scenes, but we always know our community is there for us and each other. This is one of those times.”

In recent weeks, the MRC has been providing food, clothing, counseling and financial support to those affected by the wildfire.

“Every dollar we raise will go to Mountain Resource Center,” said Duffy.

Tickets for the benefit performance are available in advance at the Ice House Café at 28065 Highway 74 in downtown Evergreen, the Mountain Resource Center at 11030 Kitty Drive in Conifer, and online at www.mrcco.org. Tickets also can be purchased at the door the afternoon of the event.

Contact reporter Sandy Barnes at sandy@evergreenco.com or call 303-350-1042.