A shotgun wedding in Keshena on Friday will help homeless veterans.
Rosewater, a rock/country band with roots in rural Wisconsin, will perform in concert at 8 p.m. at the Menominee Casino Resort, N277 State Highway 47-55.
The benefit for The Hands Foundation, a nonprofit organization that the band started several years ago, is part of the 25th annual Veterans of Menominee Nation Gathering of Warriors Pow-Wow.
The performance is built around the theme of a shotgun wedding reception set in the Great Depression. It draws on music of the period and images of literary artists John Steinbeck and Erskine Caldwell.
The reception’s guests — the audience — are encouraged to dress for the occasion and to bring gifts, or donations, for homeless veterans. Scott Marrier, of Rosewater, said items needed include all types of cold-weather clothing; socks, underwear, winter boots, jackets, backpacks, sleeping bags, etc.
“Items will go to local groups first, and we welcome other local groups to contact us so we can help more,” Marrier said. “In conjunction with our Hands Foundation, all of our financial proceeds will be given to homeless veterans.”
Donors are entered in a drawing for a trailer donated by Trophy Trailer of Stanley. The drawing will be held a couple of days after the concert.
Marrier said the primary purpose of A Shotgun Wedding is to raise awareness of veterans’ needs and to get more people involved.
Marrier said there are at least 200,000 homeless veterans throughout the U.S., and as many as 76,000 on the street on any given night.
“The more we learned about it, the more we became disturbed,” he said. “It tells you about the state of affairs.”
Rosewater’s foundation originally focused on helping the poor and homeless, but expanded to include disaster relief efforts and, in recent years, assisting veterans.
The band’s commitment to the homeless veterans began with their partnership with Minnesota-based veteran Tom McKenna and his organization, Help-A-Vet, to collect items during the cold seasons in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
They have recently expanded the work to Nashville, Tenn., where they are working with a homeless shelter, Room in the Inn.
The message to veterans is simple: “There is hope, and let us know if we can help you,” Marrier said.
Rosewater’s efforts have always been well-received in Wisconsin, he added.
“We love Wisconsin, and this is one of the areas that loves to get involved,” Marrier said. “The concert is a fun way to help our homeless veterans.”
Doors of the Five Clans Ballroom open at 7 p.m. Admission is $10.
The pow-wow officially opens at 6 p.m. Friday with a ceremony, blessing of grounds and raising of family flags.
The pow-wow continues Saturday, Armed Forces Day, at the Woodland Bowl in Keshena with grand entries at 1 and 7 p.m., and a veterans snake dance. On Sunday, the Menominee code talkers who fought in World War II will be honored following the noon grand entry.
Food, crafts and more will be available throughout the pow-wow.
Categories
