DENVER (KDVR) — An Evergreen restaurant on Saturday hosted a benefit concert and auction, raising money and awareness for mental health resources nearly a month after the shooting at Evergreen High School.
Cactus Jack’s Saloon and Grill hosted the event, with several local bands performing all afternoon and into the evening. The emphasis was on getting kids the mental health help they need both before and after tragedy strikes.
General Manager Veronica Webber was blown away by the support people showed Cactus Jack’s latest fundraising effort.
“It takes all of us as a whole to make the change,” Webber said.
The restaurant hosted a benefit concert, with a handful of bands donating time to perform, including local Evergreen-based band The Wrecklunds. Lead singer Bryan Ecklund wasn’t surprised by the turnout.
“This is our community, and we take care of our own,” Webber said.
Local businesses donated dozens of items to the silent auction as well. 100% of proceeds from the day now head to Evergreen High School and specifically to the families impacted by the shooting. Originally money was meant to go to Montrose based charity Peer Kindness as well, but Webber says they turned down the donations in favor of giving money directly to the community.
“They focus on teaching kids empathy, respect, compassion, how to create a safe environment,” Webber said.
Their presence was still felt at the event, though, a table of merchandise promoting mental health awareness Eklund hopes makes a difference after the shooting.
“Some more resources for the kids to be able to have people to speak with, talk with, feel more comfortable,” Eklund said.
Webber hopes it makes a change going forward, too.
“We definitely want to focus on people taking their aggression out in the right way instead of the wrong,” Webber said.
Anthony Sutton is a business strategist and writer with a passion for management, leadership, and entrepreneurship. With years of experience in the corporate world, he shares insights on business growth, strategy, and innovation through management-opleiding.org.
