Country concert will benefit Toys for Tots

5 years ago

CARIBOU, Maine — The Meo Bosse Detachment 1414 Marine Corps League will bring country singer Billy Dean to Caribou for a fundraising concert to benefit the Northern Aroostook Toys for Tots Program.  

Dean will appear at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 9, at the Caribou Performing Arts Center. 

Toys for Tots, originally sponsored by the Marine Corps Reserve is a program that seeks donations to benefit low income families at Christmas time. 

The Dean performance will be the second annual concert event sponsored by the league. The first show last year presented country star Georgette Jones. 

Dean is a national recording artist and has had 11 top-10 country hits.  His song “If it Hadn’t Been for You” made it to number three on the country music charts, while “Billy the Kid” climbed to number 4.  

Vaughn Hardacker, commandant of the Meo Bosse Detachment, said the league enjoys bringing quality entertainment to The County.

“This is really a win-win event for us,” said Hardacker, a Marine who served in Vietnam.  “We raise money for a great cause and we bring some very talented entertainers to the Caribou Performing Arts Center.  This is made possible thanks to many generous businesses and individuals who support the project.”

The Marine Corps League donated $1,500 to support the Billy Dean event.  Michael Shouse, the new coordinator for the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program in northern Aroostook County, said members of the league will be visiting with local businesses over the next couple of months to raise funds to support the concert.

“Every dollar we raise will reduce the cost of the show, and all profits from the show will benefit the Toys for Tots program,” said Shouse, a Marine who served two tours during the Iraq War.   

Tickets to the Nov. 9 concert will go on sale shortly.  To support the event, contact Hardacker by email at: vhardacker@gmail.com.