'Concert for Care' set to benefit two local women in need

Concert for Care, a benefit performance featuring finger-style guitarist David Paul and KEPT, a local, contemporary Christian rock band, will take place on Saturday, Sept. 15, from 7 to 10 p.m. at King of Kings Community Church in Manahawkin. The show will help raise money for King of Kings member Chrissie Melnick and KEPT’s sign language interpreter, Randi LaRocca.

Chrissie Melnick

Both are suffering from serious health issues and costly healthcare bills that need immediate assistance. Melnick recently underwent surgery after being diagnosed with squamous carcinoma. LaRocca, suffering from many unnamed autoimmune diseases, is in dire need of a lung transplant.

“These women are suffering to the point of no return,” said Paul, who is known around the world as “The Maestro of Guitar.” “This benefit is not about KEPT and me. It’s about raising money and bringing awareness to the community about two local women who are in desperate need of everyone’s help. I’m going to meet with the mayor of Manahawkin and invite him. Hopefully he’ll come, and he’ll see the great work around his community,” Paul added.

Randi LaRocca

“The band had talked about setting up a benefit for the two women for a while, but I think it was probably when Randi (LaRocca) met David Paul that we got the ball rolling,” said Keith LaRocca, Randi’s husband and one of KEPT’s three guitarists. “I think maybe once he met Chrissie and Randi and saw what she did through KEPT and he started to meet everybody in the band, that was the driving force behind getting it all going. David Paul’s dad had the same disease as Randi does, and I think that’s what really struck a chord with him,” he explained.

Both Melnick and Randi LaRocca will be in attendance on the night of the show. “If the Lord gives her the strength,” LaRocca will even conduct sign language as a member of KEPT, during the band’s performance. The women will also share their stories of health and sickness.

All proceeds from the ticket and refreshment sales will go directly to the church benevolent fund, which helps support Melnick’s and LaRocca’s health concerns. Tickets cost $15 per person and can be purchased inside the church lobby, or online at ticketderby.com. Donations can be made out to King of Kings Community Church, Concert for Care. For more information, contact the church at 609-597-7177.



This article was published in The SandPaper.