12-hour musical event to raise money for tornado victims

Twelve hours of continuous music to help victims of the May 20 tornado in Moore, Okla., is scheduled for Wednesday at Schnucks Supermarket in Cape Girardeau.

The event, "Music for Moore," is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and will feature area performers playing near the entrance of Schnucks, 19 S. Kings-highway.

"To my knowledge, something like this has never been done by musicians in the Cape Girardeau area," said Les Lindy, an organizer of the event and one of Wednesday's performers.

Lindy said "Music for Moore" is sponsored by Schnucks, Mississippi River Radio and the Southeast Missouri chapter of the American Red Cross. The 12 musical acts that will perform each will play for one hour, and the music will range from blues to country. The suggested donation is $1, Lindy said, and all proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross to help tornado victims in Moore.

"That means 100 percent of the proceeds," Lindy said. "All of it."

Sara Gerau, executive director of financial development for the Southeast Missouri chapter of the American Red Cross, praised the efforts of Lindy and his fellow musicians.

"It was Les and other musicians who started talking about doing something for the tornado victims in Moore," Gerau said. "They've basically done everything, from arranging the location to getting the performers together. We're grateful that they chose us to partner with."

Gerau said "Music for Moore" will be a great time for shoppers and music lovers.

"There's going to be some great music," she said, "and donations will be going to a great cause. It's going to be a fun day and we hope that the weather cooperates."

The powerful EF5 tornado that ripped through Moore left 24 people dead, seven of whom were students at an elementary school. More than 1,200 homes were reported as either damaged or destroyed, and the monetary damage caused by the tornado is estimated to be at least $2 billion. Relief efforts continue by religious and charitable organizations, private groups, the federal government and the State of Oklahoma.

klewis@semissourian.com

388-3635

Pertinent address:

19 S. Kingshighway, Cape Girardeau, Mo.

2430 Myra Drive, Cape Girardeau, Mo.