For the second year in a row, five local good Samaritans were honored Saturday during the third Redemption Inside the Walls concert at the Jefferson City Jaycees Fairgrounds.
Alicia Edwards, Connie Cashion, Chris Jarboe, Bill Graham and Jeff Brondel were selected to receive the Fisher Family Good Samaritan Award. All five individuals have made a significant impact on the Mid-Missouri area, whether it was through building community organizations, assisting travelers who arrived in Jefferson City or supporting students with positive encouragement and care.
The News Tribune and Redemption Inside the Walls partnered to select this year's good Samaritans.
The Fisher Family Good Samaritan Award is named after Helen and John Fisher, who owned Lee's Chicken in Jefferson City. John Fisher, Helen's son, and Helen died last year.
Event organizers Paula Benne and Kirk DeMars said it's incredibly special just to see everybody who comes together for Redemption Inside the Walls each year. DeMars said being able to recognize community members who serve others and the Fisher family at the same time is what helps makes the concert so unique.
"We greatly appreciate everybody who was nominated," DeMars said.
Benne said it was something special to see what has grown "from an idea God laid on my heart." And the sheer amount of volunteers and the work they do is incredible, she said, adding everyone walks out of Saturday's event touched.
"This is all God's will," Benne said. "My heart is just so happy it's overpowering."
Following the award ceremony, Aaron Shust, a Christian musician who has been recognized as 2007 Songwriter of the Year and New Artist of the Year, took to the stage.
Kara Dyer and her husband, Bradley, were attending Redemption Inside the Walls for the second year. Kara Dyer said they had a good experience last year and wanted to return to enjoy the music and the fellowship.
"I love the music," she said.
Bradley Dyer said the concert is special because everyone there is ready to share the gospel.
Benne said ticket sales were a bit slow in advance of the show, but organizers were counting on a large amount of gate ticket purchases to break 1,000 tickets sold. Before Shust took the stage, Benne said more than 150 tickets already had been sold at the gate.
Concert proceeds will go to The Healing House and New Beginnings, a Christian recovery ministry.
Benne initially started the concert as a way to raise funds for Leah Hargrove, a Centertown child who was born with several disabilities. On Saturday, New Hope Baptist Church held a silent auction, with proceeds going to Hargrove.