» SUMMARY: Music and shelter are two out-of-the-ordinary ways utilized this past week to meet needs of people in Culpeper.
“American Idol” finalist Chris Sligh faced a challenge Saturday night at his concert to honor the memory of Kelsey Orndorff, the 17-year-old Fredericksburg Christian High School senior who died in August en route to his show.
Sligh said he wanted to help bring healing to those here who are still dealing with her death. And, he said, he wanted to rock. Sligh did both, displaying not only musical talent, but also a heart of Christian compassion.
In dividing his music set into two parts, he was able to devote the first half to what he termed “introspective” and worship songs. After intermission, he played more upbeat music.
But it wasn’t just Sligh who deserves kudos for the resounding success. Lizza Judd, a friend of the Orndorff family, worked tirelessly behind the scenes to provide a dynamic, memorable event.
Perhaps the most difficult task of the evening fell to Satellite 29, the youth band that Kelsey helped organize — a band in which her brothers Jordan and Josh still play. Jordan shared one of Kelsey’s favorite Bible verses and, between songs, vocalist Michelle Chapman interacted with the hundreds who filled the auditorium at Culpeper County High School. It couldn’t have been easy for any of the band members.
The “Concert for Kelsey” hit the right tone. It honored her memory while pointing people toward ways to bring good out of the tragedy, namely through contributions to Kelsey Cares and Kelsey’s Big Give, two funds started to help meet local needs.
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SHELTER: Another way in which local needs are being met is through a program started by the Culpeper Ministerial Association. The outreach provides overnight shelter and a hot meal for those without a place to go.
We applaud the group for being proactive in helping to fulfill a scriptural mandate to care for the needy. It’s nice to see churches, instead of the government, reaching out to help. Hopefully, the many difficult logistics surrounding such a sensitive undertaking can be addressed in a way that benefits all involved.
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