8th AnchorFest concert to raise money for men’s recovery program
Concert is set for Saturday at Gillionville Baptist Church in Albany
From Staff Reports
ALBANY — For the eighth year, AnchorFest will bring music to the stage for an important purpose — to raise funds for The Anchorage and its recovery programs for men who are battling alcoholism and drug addiction.
One of the performers slated for the event, scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday at Gillionville Baptist Church, said working with the men in the program and seeing their progress has been inspiring.
“I first sang at AnchorFest in 2012, and it was uplifting to see so many churches in the community come together to support these men at the Anchorage dealing with their addictions,” said Chad Miller, guitarist and male lead singer with Verse II Band. “We have joined AnchorFest every year since and love it.”
Miller, a radiologic technologist at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, is a husband and father of three who also is a church musician at First Free Will Baptist Church. Verse II are regulars at the Anchorage.
“Our band also hosts the Sunday night church services at the Anchorage, which is the most enjoyable time of the week,” he said. “We started the Sunday night service two years ago, and this is the No. 1 place I like to be.
“Sometimes I’ll know the men that come through the program — I went to school with them, and know their families. It’s great to see God working in their lives during this time of struggle. And this year, I’ll perform with the Anchor Choir their theme song, ‘Chain Breaker.’”
Verse II will have other area musicians join in for the event to raise funds to help break the chains of addiction. The groups perform a variety of styles — bluegrass, Hallelujah chorus, Mississippi Delta blues, upbeat praise sounds and children’s choirs.
Gail Drake, an attorney who has helped organize the concerts since AnchorFest’s inception, said that over the years, AnchorFest has provided a panorama of musical expression by talented local artists from more than 20 local churches.
AnchorFest 2017 will feature a “game day” theme, celebrating overcoming addiction through “Victory in Jesus.” Performers and concertgoers alike are being encouraged to wear their favorite team shirt and cheer for their favorite team.
The benefit concert provides awareness and funding for The Anchorage, Albany’s Christ-centered substance abuse recovery center for men. The past seven concerts have raised more than $115,000, directly assisting men struggling with addiction. The Anchorage provides residential treatment for more than 50 men, assisting thousands of residents since its inception 64 years ago.
Tickets are $10 at the door. Gillionville Baptist Church is located at 4614 Gillionville Road. For information, call (229) 435-5692.
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