Fundraiser at Hal’s for South Texas Food Bank
Fundraiser at Hal’s for South Texas Food Bank has Little Sister in concert on May 6. Family budgets are not the only ones hit hard during tough economic times like the present. The coffers of charitable non-profit organizations also suffer.
By SALO OTERO
South Texas Food Bank Director of Development
Enter Hal’s Landing and proprietor Tom Lamont with monthly charity events
for six Laredo groups in 2010. The fundraisers, which feature
entertainment, started in February and run through December.
The next event is May 6 (a Thursday night) from 8 to midnight at Hal’s
Landing, 6510 Arena Road next to the Laredo Energy Arena (formerly Laredo
Entertainment Center). It features the music of Little Sister to
benefit the South Texas Food Bank mission of feeding the hungry. The
South Texas Food Bank serves 21,000 families per month in an eight-county
area, including 15,000 families in Laredo-Webb County.
Lamont, born in Brownsville but graduated high school in Chicago and
college the South Dakota School of Mines, moved to Laredo in 1983 to
start L.O.G. Energy. He opened Hal’s Landing, a restaurant and
entertainment business, more than three years ago.
Explaining his involvement, he noted, “We (along with wife Marianne)
started charity events for non-profits to make a difference. We know
about the economy and how hard it is to raise funds. “
Little Sister is a Laredo group that has been playing the local and area
scene for 10 years. They will entertain with classic rock, rock and roll
and pop. The band members include the husband and wife team of Monique
Godines on vocals and Ramon “Mony” Godines on guitar. The other two also
have family ties, Al Rubio on bass guitar; and his son, Chris Rubio, on
drums. Al is a longtime Laredo musician and Chris is a TAMIU music
student. Ramon and Al also do vocals.
Monique and Ramon, parents of two young children, are school teachers.
She is in the classroom at Borchers Elementary and he is a music teacher
at Killam Elementary. Monique said Little Sister has been the opening
act for the likes of Flaco Jimenez, Outfield and Fastball.
Lamont said, “We had Little Sister when we first opened Hal’s. Everyone
enjoyed them very much. The put on a good show.” Danny Cuellar, treasurer
of the food bank board, is the event chairman. “Tom and Marianne are
very giving people to their community. This event proves it again.”
Tickets are now on sale at $10 per person, available at the door on May 6
and the South Texas Food Bank by calling (956) 726-3120. The South
Texas Food Bank will also sell chances for several raffle items that
night. There will be $2,000 worth of prizes. Among the items are a
Laredo Bucks St. Patrick Day game jersey, season tickets for two to 2010
Laredo Broncos baseball. Pancho Farias framed artwork, $50 gift
certificate for Silpata Design Jewelry, a Mother‘s Day gift basket,
Holiday Inn buffet dinner for two, three months membership for Curves
women‘s center, ice chest and beer from Southern Distributing and L&F
Distributing and four-pack tickets to Laredo Energy Arena-South Texas
Empty Bowls concert Aug. 25 with Three Dog Night. Raffle tickets will be
$5 each or five for $20.
Other local organizations benefiting from Hal’s generosity will be Voz de
Ninos, Casa de Misericordia, Habitat for Humanity, Bethany House and
Make-A-Wish Foundation. Kevin Courser and Stephen Anderson are the Hal’s
charity events coordinators.