Country concert in Irwin Park to benefit military personnel, veterans

The sixth annual Country Sounds for Soldiers Concert promises music by “home-grown country artists with a party-down-South attitude.”

Music will begin at 2 p.m. Sunday in the amphitheater at Irwin Park in downtown Irwin.

The concert will benefit Operation Troop Appreciation, a West Mifflin-based nonprofit that provides support for members of the military, veterans and their families.

Musical selections will include patriotic-themed country songs, along with originals paying tribute to military members and veterans, said Monica A. Orluk, CEO of Operation Troop Appreciation.

The lineup of Western Pennsylvania musicians includes:

• Keith Gill Jr., founder and host of Country Sounds for Soldiers, who has donated proceeds from his single, “A Soldiers Hand,” to OTA.

• Stoney Richards, morning show personality at Y-108, musician and Emmy award-winning actor.

• Frank Vieira, Pittsburgh country crooner who will perform selections from his new album, “Limbo Lane.”

• Antolena Damico, a 14-year-old from Penn Township who has performed the national anthem at venues including Heinz Field, PPG Paints Arena and PNC Park.

Other acts include Chelsea Biehl, Logan Brice, Andy Davis and Marty Zundel. All musicians are donating their time, Orluk noted.

“Country musicians are some of the biggest supporters of our troops, and our local artists are no exception,” she said. “We are proud that this talented group of artists will be taking the stage to honor the brave men and women who serve our country.”

Although admission is free, donations will be accepted. Gift basket and 50/50 raffles will be available. The concert is presented by Turner Dairy Farms.

Attendees can bring their own snacks and beverages, and food trucks also will be on site, Orluk said.

While Sunday’s weather forecast is for sun and warm temperatures, Orluk said, in case of rain, a cancellation notice would be posted on the organization’s website and Facebook page and the concert Facebook page. Signs also would be posted at the park.

Other fundraisers

In previous years, the concert took place at Irwin’s Lamp Theatre, which was unavailable this year due to pandemic gathering restrictions.

“We didn’t want to miss a year, so we were able to secure the park and take it outside,” Orluk said.

The organization also has these fundraisers scheduled at its headquarters in the South Hills Industrial Park, 1200 Lebanon Road, Unit 510, West Mifflin:

• Overstocked Extravaganza, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. July 10-11: Amazon overstock items donated through Good360, which distributes excess consumer goods to nonprofit partners, will be available for purchase.

There will be a Brown-Bag-It area, where shoppers can pay a flat fee to fill up a paper shopping bag with small items. Bags will be $20 or $30, depending on size. There also will be an area for large sale items, available for a suggested donation — “or they can make us an offer we can’t refuse,” Orluk said.

• Motorcycle run, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. July 31. Cost is $25.

Founded in 2004, OTA supports active and veteran military personnel by providing items that contribute to their morale and well-being. More than 190,000 troops and veterans have received help through two OTA programs:

• Wish List Program, provides unit-level support to deployed U.S. military personnel by filling “wish list” requests.

• Welcome Home Program, provides kits for veterans containing essential household items, such as new beds, small appliances and essentials needed when moving into a home. OTA serves veterans who have been homeless or are at risk for becoming homeless, or are experiencing financial hardship and/or physical/psychological challenges.

For more information visit operationtroopappreciation.org.