WESTBROOK -- Three years ago, a tragic accident resulted in a young Westbrook girl losing an arm to amputation. But Kate Jorgenson wasn’t deterred by her injury, and the way the community rallied around Jorgenson and her family had a lasting -- and positive -- impact on the town of Westbrook.
This weekend, as Westbrook celebrates its annual Fun Day celebration, part of the festivities will be a concert featuring big names in the world of rock ‘n’ roll that will raise funds for the Keeping up the Kourage foundation, which has been established in Kate’s honor to help others facing medical expenses.
“When Kate had her accident, she wanted to give back to the organizations that supported her after the accident,” explained Westbrook City Clerk Katie Steen, who is treasurer for the foundation that became a nonprofit organization in April.
Through a series of connections, a manager for some well-known musicians proposed the idea of having a concert. In 2013, it was called Kate Gives Back, and the proceeds went to organizations in which Jorgenson was involved, such as J-O volleyball and the community pool. Last year, the concert was billed as Keeping Up the Kourage, and the funds raised help build a new basketball court in the town park.
From this year forward, proceeds will go toward the Keeping Up the Kourage Foundation.
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“It’s come a long way,” said Steen. “We finally have our mission and purpose, and since it all stemmed from Kate’s accident, we wanted it to go into the medical needs area.”
The main concert will take place -- shine or rain -- from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday in a big tent in the park. Set to perform are Kevin Chalfant, who was the first lead singer to stand in for Steve Perry and perform with Journey; Randall Hall, a former member of the Lynyrd Skynyrd Band; and Joey Molland, former member of Badfinger -- all accompanied by the Headliner Band.
“It’s a great concert,” said Steen. “The entertainers get everyone going. And with Journey and Lynyrd Skynyrd -- even my 13-year-old daughter knows them.”
Advance reduced-price tickets can be purchased through Friday at several locations around town, including from Steen at Westbrook City Hall, 1st Avenue Salon and Knakmuhs Agency. Full-price tickets will be sold at the gate on Saturday.
Here is the full schedule of events for Fun Days, which begin today in Westbrook:
TODAY
5 to 7 p.m., community barbecue, Sanford Westbrook Hospital
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7 p.m., Evening of Praise featuring the Hallelujah Hooligans, pie served, Westbrook Community Center
Dusk, fireworks
FRIDAY
10:30 a.m., registration (11 a.m. meal, 12:35 p.m. tee off) for Heritage Health Foundation four-person golf scramble, Rolling HIlls Golf Course
7 p.m., Miss Westbrook Scholarship Program, W-WG High School auditorium
SATURDAY:
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7:15 a.m. (8 a.m start), register for 5K Fun & Run Walk, park
8:30 a.m., sand volleyball tournament and Charger Back 9 mini golf, park
10 a.m., 3-on-3 co-ed basketball tournament, summer olympics and petting zoo, park
10:30 a.m., FFA Whopper Feed, park
11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Westbrook Heritage House Museum open
Noon, car show, by the park
11 a.m. to 3 p.m., inflatables
Noon, bingo for all ages, park
Noon, beer garden opens
12:30 to 3:30 p.m., open swimming, pool
1 p.m. (registration 12:30 p.m.), pedal tractor pull for ages 4-11, park
4 p.m., parade
5:30 p.m., warm-up band, big tent
7 to 10:30 p.m., Keeping Up the Kourage Concert, big tent
SUNDAY
City-wide medallion hunt for all ages, clues posted in the beer garden
9 a.m. to 1 p.m., French toast brunch, community center
10 a.m., community church service, Grace Lutheran Church
Noon to 5 p.m., beer garden open
1:30 p.m., bingo for all ages, tent
