Popular fundraiser this Saturday

 

 

By Wade Daffron

TJ Editor

 

There’s a legendary Dolly Parton song about a “Coat of Many Colors” and its significant to her.

Locally, a coat given to a young Kevin Williams is just as important.

Williams, an internationally renowned guitarist, comedian, speaker, and long-time bandleader of The Gaither Vocal Band, calls Russell County “home.”

As a self-described “trailer park kid” growing up just outside Russell Springs, Kevin often speaks about the gift of a “corduroy coat for Christmas.”

For many years, he believed the gift was from his “hard-working” parents.

“We didn’t have much,” Kevin recalled. “Dad was a factory worker; mom was a clerk in a store. We didn’t make enough to get above what the state of Kentucky defined as poverty.”

“I had a great childhood,” he said. “My parents worked very hard to support me…they loved me and encouraged me.”

So, the gift of that coat was a cherished memory which stuck with him.

A few years ago, however, Kevin learned something which helped set the legendary “Kevin’s Kids” in motion…

“I was talking with my mom about that coat (he received) at six-years-old for Christmas,” he said. “She said, ‘Yeah, we didn’t get you that coat.’ Our neighbors had bought the coat and given it to my mom and dad to give to me.”

“Man, that just changed my life!” Kevin said. “I’ve had so many people in my life, literally hundreds, that God had sent at the right time, every time.”

Kevin started thinking of a way he could help others as he had been helped, and in a series of events involving a lot of prayer, and certainly some divine intervention, Kevin’s Kids began taking shape.

After 10 free, fundraising concerts in his hometown, Kevin has helped raise an amazing over $600,000 for local youth.

And this year is expected to be a “banner year,” he said.

A Kevin’s Kids concert is set for this Saturday, April 12, 6 p.m., at the First Baptist Church of Russell Springs.

The event will include performances by Williams, Matthew Holt, Michael Shade Rowsey, Renaissance Bluegrass Trio, Bluegrass legend (and local music teacher to many) Larry Beasley, the Crossroads Quartet (in one of their final performances), a community choir, and… (drum roll, please) …the incomparable Mark Lowry!

 

 

Om his recent “Just Whenever” podcast, gospel legend Lowry laughingly lamented with Williams about how he has yet to be involved in Kevin’s Kids.

Lowry, long associated with the Gaithers, said Bill Gaither actually encouraged him to get involved with what Lowry called “an incredible ministry.”

Kevin said he was honored and humbled to have Lowry involved.

“I’ll be there,” Lowry said. “I have no idea what we’re going to do, but I’ll be there!”

Lowry emphasized the significance of the event.

“Listen…the Gaither Band will be there,” he said, nodding his head.

With over $105,000 raised last year, a goal north of $105,000 is expected for this year.

“This is all money that stays in the county…and it’s all for the kids,” he said.

“We get in their life with shoes, or a coat, or whatever that child needs,” Williams explained. “We don’t buy coats for everybody. It’s not a government program. Sometimes it’s just as simple as a toothbrush.”

Williams offers consistent praise for the Family Resource/Youth Services who he considers “good stewards” of money raised.

Caring and compassionate resource managers “know the kids, know their families,” and help provides things such as dental work or eyeglasses.

“We couldn’t do that in the beginning,” Williams said, “but we’ve built up to that.”

Doors open this Saturday at 5 p.m. for this year’s Kevin’s Kids concert.

The show will start at 6 p.m.

The venue is located at 392 E. Steve Wariner Dr. (Also known as KY. 80), in Russell Springs.

Tax-deductible donations can be made by calling the First Baptist Church of Russell Springs at (270) 866-6495, or by visiting the church’s website.

Williams said none of the funds go to the church, but they help facilitate gathering donations which are placed in a “secured fund” specifically for Kevin’s Kids.

He truly believes the program is making a difference in the lives of local youth but reminds the public that 26 percent of the children in Russell County are below the state poverty level.

“There’s a lot to be done,” he said. “This is a mission for me.”

“What the child deals with is never their fault,” Williams said. “We try to get in their lives and plants seeds…to take them somewhere…on the word of God, of course.”