McEntire Returning To Warsaw Dec. 10 To Support Toys For Tots
McEntire Returning To Warsaw Dec. 10 To Support Toys For Tots
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David Slone-dslone@timesuniononline.com
McEntire Returning To Warsaw Dec. 10 To Support Toys For TotsFor a third consecutive year, Susie McEntire is returning to Warsaw in December to help support Toys For Tots. “Country Christmas with Susie McEntire” is scheduled for Dec. 10 in the Lakeview Middle School auditorium. Doors open at 6 p.m., with the free show starting at 7 p.m. Susie McEntire, the sister of country music legend Reba McEntire, also is a music recording artist who has “directed her talents to the country gospel side of American Roots music, garnering much acclaim from her peers and fans alike,” according to her official website at susiemcentire.com. Mike Loher, who has organized the McEntire concert every year, said Susie and her husband, Mark Eaton, also will host church services at the Leesburg United Methodist Church at 9 a.m. Dec. 11. It’s also free. No ticket is required for the Dec. 10 concert, Loher said, but each attendee is asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy for Toys For Tots. The donations will stay local. In 2015, he estimated 12 or 13 large Toys For Tots boxes were filled with donations. “With it being the third year, every year we try to do something to keep it fresh. This year is no exception. We have some different surprises in store this year,” he said. Last year’s big surprise was Santa and Mrs. Claus who showed up with the Warsaw Christian School choir. A children’s choir will again be a part of the show this year. As for the surprise, Loher joked, “I can tell you it’s not going to be Reba because she is booked with Brooks & Dunn at Cesar’s Palace in Las Vegas.” But otherwise, his lips were sealed as to what this year’s surprise will be. The big sponsors of the concert this year are the Leesburg United Methodist Church, Stookey Construction, Everest Excavating, R&B Car Co., Eagle Outdoor Advertising and Willie 103.5. Loher said there are still sponsorship opportunities available, and anyone interested can call him at 574-376-0193. “We’ve built this since the first one that this is an event you can go to with your family, and for 90 minutes this is the feel-good event of the season,” he said. Attendance was very good in 2015, he said, so while there are no reserve seats, he recommended people arrive early to get a seat they want. McEntire will have some merchandise available for sale in the lobby, but no concessions will be sold.
