MACOMB CONCERT AIMS TO HELP SURVIVORS OF ABUSE
(Macomb, Illinois, March 22, 2023) – A local musician and business are collaborating to host a benefit concert for survivors of abuse who need counseling and advocacy services. The event is part of the “Final Friday” concert series hosted at The Wine Sellers in Macomb. Local musician and philanthropist Bill Maakestad will provide the entertainment for the evening with several other local musicians. 
The concert will be held on Friday, March 31 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at The Wine Sellers in Macomb. All collected donations will be given to WIRC-CAA Victim Services, a nonprofit agency that provides free counseling and advocacy services to survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking. 
“Individuals who have experienced traumatic events are often in need of a safe, private place to talk about their feelings,” said Victim Services Director Debbie Collins. “All counseling sessions at Victim Services are confidential and offered at no charge to the survivor or their family. The support of the community, through fundraisers like this, allows us to provide this free service.”
Admission to the concert is free, and free will monetary donations will be collected for Victim Services during the event. Lysa Fox, Lisa Wipperling, Jeanie Davenport and Bill Maakestad will be the featured musicians of the evening focusing on the musical theme of “Songs by, for, and About Women”. 
The date of the concert is especially timely with April being National Child Abuse Prevention Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month. “This concert will help us to kick off our awareness campaign, which is one of our biggest and busiest of the year,” said Victim Services Public Relations Manager Jamie Roth. “We are thankful for the invitation and opportunity to raise awareness and be the recipient of donations from this concert.”
WIRC-CAA Victim Services is a nonprofit that provides free and confidential crisis counseling, medical advocacy and legal advocacy to child and adult survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and stalking. The Agency’s service area includes multiple western Illinois counties. If you have experienced any form of abuse in your life, you are welcome to call their free and confidential crisis hotline at 309-837-5555.