On Friday, March 28, 2008, a benefit concert was held in memory of Carrie Leigh Spencer at the Franklin County High School auditorium. Over 400 people including Carrie’s immediate and extended families turned out for this event.
On Friday, March 28, 2008, a benefit concert was held in memory of Carrie Leigh Spencer at the Franklin County High School auditorium. Over 400 people including Carrie’s immediate and extended families turned out for this event. Monies raised from the event will be donated to the Franklin County Planned Pethood clinic located on 220 just north of Rocky Mount, VA. Karin Perala, director of the clinic, and Michelle Booth, office manager, were on hand to assist with the ticket sales. Karin pointed out that in addition to the $5.00 cover charge, additional donations were made in honor of Carrie. This event combined two loves that Carrie had; the love of music and the love of animals. John Flint, former lead singer for Nema band, said, “Tell [everyone] how much love she had.”
This sentiment carried through with everyone that I talked to that knew Carrie. Carrie’s boyfriend is a member of Define Infinity and former member of NEMA and Don’t Die On Purpose. John Flint talked about how Carrie would travel with the band and help out in any way that she could, often helping with the band’s vending table where she had the greatest exposure to people. That was another forte of Carrie, according to another of her many friends, “…people were drawn to her”.
While the music was playing inside of the auditorium, skate boarding was taking place outside. The rain held off until after the skate boarding concluded around 10 PM. Attendees mingled back and forth between the two events all evening. At one point, while skate boarders performed stunts, the crowd was about equally split.
Another benefit in memory of Carrie will be held next Saturday, April 5, at Franklin County High School to raise money for a scholarship to be given in Carrie’s name. The event will begin at noon and conclude three to four hours later. The scholarship will go to a graduating senior that is planning to pursue English as their major in college. English was the major that Carrie wanted to pursue when she entered college. The event will include music, food concessions, raffle and a 40 mile benefit ride by cars and motorcycles of all types. While the cars and motorcycles are out on the road, the music and food will keep other attendees entertained.
The trauma of the loss of a child is the greatest fear of any parent. A reporter’s job demands neutrality and unbiased honesty in reporting a story. Being the father of three girls myself, I found it personally impossible to approach Carrie’s father to ask him some of the questions about coping with, and moving forward from, such a tragedy. Alternately, I was pleased to meet Carrie’s mother Debbie Spencer. We talked about the events of the evening and the upcoming benefit. Debbie was uplifted by the great turnout of this event and said that she was looking forward to another great turnout next Saturday. I asked Debbie what she wanted attendees to know from this event. Debbie said, “Feel good knowing they helped a great cause.”
A photo gallery for this event will be available soon. All proceeds from any photo reprints from this gallery will be donated to the Franklin County Planned Pethood Clinic in memory of Carrie.
Photos for this event have been posted in our photo gallery: Set 1 - Set 2 - Set 3
