Kevin’s Kids total nearly $123,000

 

 

By Wade Daffron

TJ Editor

 

When the music faded, and the crowds all went home from the recent Kevin’s Kids concert, the gospel icon was proud and humbled with the nearly $112,000 raised for the youth of Russell County.

But over the next few days, as only God can work, that total swelled by over $10,000.

“Isn’t that something?” Kevin said at a check presentation recently in Russell Springs. “That’s God at work.”

Williams visited Tuesday to issue checks to local schools.

The money raised in his annual, charitable concert, goes into a “protected fund,” and is then distributed to kids who have needs ranging from personal care items, shoes, coats-and efforts are being focused on things such as eye glasses.

“We’re trying to find more and more needs we can meet all the time,” he said.

Williams, who “grew up in a little trailer park outside Russell Springs,” was blessed “to have good neighbors…and people who helped me…a lot of them from the church…who helped me out when I was growing up.”

As he obtained fame, traveling the world with the Gaither Vocal Band, playing guitar, and producing recordings, he heart was always with Russell County.

He has helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for local youth over the past few years.

“I’m just here to say, ‘Thanks,’ ” Williams said last week at the Russell County Auditorium. “I’m a faith-based person, so I celebrate this in the name of Jesus and what He’s done in my life, and what He’s doing through all of us.”

Williams said a total of $122,957 had been raised through the recent Kevin’s Kids effort.

The overwhelming success and sincerity of Kevin’s Kids draws in more and more people each year.

“We have generous donors everywhere,” he said. “We have a lot of donors who have not ever been to Russell County. They see the need here, and they trust us.”

Williams is always quick to express appreciation for the local school system, Russell County School Superintendent Michael A. Ford, who suggested “the wonderful idea” of a “protected fund for money raised,” and especially the county’s Family Resource Centers, who help determine children’s needs, and make sure needs are met.

“If I hadn’t become involved in music…I think I would have liked to be in family resources,” Williams said. “I have so much respect for them and what they do.”

The resource centers are “good stewards” of money raised, he said.

“They set it up in a way where it works for the students-and not for the board,” Williams said.

During last week’s presentation, Williams presented checks to: Russell County High School, which received a little over $34,000, Russell County Middle School, which was awarded almost $27,000, Russell Springs Elementary, recipient of approximately $26,600, Jamestown Elementary, over $19,000 and Salem Elementary was gifted over $16,000.

Money raised through Kevin’s Kids is divided between the school resource centers based on the number of students assisted at each school, Williams said.

He said he also appreciate the true, “community effort” exhibited for the cause.

During the free Kevin’s Kids concert at the First Baptist Church of Russell Springs, he noticed “people from other churches helping to park cars, provide security, and helping in many different ways.”

“Nearly every church in the county has contributed in some way,” he said. “That makes a statement.”

The Russell County Chamber of Commerce and many local businesses “do all they can to advertise and promote this…and I appreciate it so much,” Williams said.

“It’s a civic responsibility and a spiritual one, it’s a healing one,” he said. “We owe it to our next generation and we owe it to ourselves to make sure kids have what they need to succeed.”

Williams encourages the community to “stay involved” with local youth.

“Let’s not just turn them loose, prepare them, and care for them,” he said. “We need to let hhem know, ‘We care about you, you matter.’ ”

Williams is also involved with a “totally separate thing,” the “Believe” scholarship fund.

“When we started…we had around $5,000 to award scholarship to kids going to college,” he said. “This year, we have over $33,000 in the fund.”

Williams said several students were to receive scholarships of varying amounts, and credits Dr. Barrett Bernard “for helping us reach levels we never thought imaginable.”

“Dr. Bernard got hold of it and ran with it,” Williams said.

Considering the current economical climate, Williams said he is always amazed how “Russell County embraces and embodies the philosophy” to “help others.”

“Between Kevin’s Kids and the scholarship, it’s our biggest year ever” he said.