Hamden Music Shindig to Raise Funds for Vinton County Cancer Patients

The Vinton County Cancer Research Group will hold a benefit called "Kicking Cancer In The A\\ Music Shindig" on Sunday, March 15 at the Hamden Firefighters Community Building, 138 East Railroad St., Hamden, beginning at 2 p.m., with the group’s event listing showing a 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. time window. An initial announcement described the event as intended to raise travel funds, and the VisitVinton event page states, "App proceeds help Vinton County residents undergoing cancer treatment!"

Admission is by donation at the door, and organizers said concessions will be available, following thetelegramnews wording: "Entry is by donation. Refreshments will be sold. No alcoholic beverages will be permitted." The VisitVinton listing notes a concession stand with food and drinks; the VCCRG page thanks the Vinton County Community Fund for a grant to purchase new tables that the group plans to use at the shindig.

Musical entertainment will include area vocalists and musicians with named performers Al Harper and Ron Hayes listed by VisitVinton, and VCCRG listing "Entertainment provided by our very own David Stiffler Jr." VisitVinton encourages additional performers and says, "We will be posting the line up as others join," and asks musicians to contact Randy Yates at 740-590-4376 to sign up.

VCCRG traces its origins to 2017, when Randy Yates, Barb Prater and Kim McManis began investigating what they believed was a higher cancer rate in Vinton County. The group prepared a survey that drew 235 responses, then partnered with the Ohio University Office of Research and Dr. Melissa Thomas as primary investigator. Members completed training through the Collaborative Institutive Training Initiative program, according to the organization’s history on its site.

The group continues to build community ties and programing: meeting notes recorded by thetelegramnews welcomed new member Tiffany Harvey-Piatt, and organizers are planning a dinner to thank local fishermen and women and to honor survivors, along with an ice cream social timed near the Fourth of July. VCCRG’s calendar also lists a combined roundtable and monthly meeting on Monday, April 6 at 6:30 p.m. at the McArthur Fire Department Bingo Hall, where "there are plans to have someone discuss colorectal cancer."

Practical details for attendees and performers are specific: the venue address is 138 E Railroad St., Hamden (coordinates 39.158567, -82.525761 on the event listing), admission is by donation, and no alcohol will be permitted. Performers should call Randy Yates at 740-590-4376; the Vinton County Convention & Visitors Bureau contact shown on the VisitVinton page is 740-596-7077. Thetelegramnews notes that "The Vinton County Cancer Research group always welcomes new members or anyone who is interested in attending its meetings," and organizers say final lineup details will be posted as additional acts join.