The Eastern chapter of Habitat for Humanity used music as a tool to help raise money to go toward “The House that EIU Built” fundraiser on Saturday night at 7th Street Underground.

The first annual benefit concert for Habitat for Humanity featured a setlist consisting of the Staff Blues Band, Howard, Learn to Fly, Little Boy Jr. and Thriftstore Beatniks, and raised a total of $500.

Renee Rovey, president of Habitat for Humanity, said the purpose of the benefit concert is to help raise money for the EIU chapter so they can build a house for a resident in Coles County.

“We are already halfway there with about $20,000,” said the junior elementary education major.

Rovey said when students think about Habitat for Humanity, some might assume the true tasks they do around Coles County.

“A lot of students think we just build homes and give them away to people,” she said. “There is a process people have to go through in order to get a home. There are some requirements they have to fulfill.”

Bryan Rolfsen, Habitat for Humanity treasurer, said there is a reason why the organization chose music to help raise funds.

“Music is universal thing,” he said. “It is a drawing force, and people will come out and see music.”

Rolfsen said the benefit concert helped bring the music scene in Charleston together.

“The music in Charleston has been on the verge of dead,” he said. “This is a good venue to just get the bands together.”

During the concert, Rolfsen performed with his band Howard.

Even though Howard was missing a member – guitarist and singer Dylan Cain – the band still managed to perform under the name “Hairy Martha,” and had people get up out of their seats to dance.

Rolfsen said the new name was a joke.

“We were just paying tribute to our missing member,” he said.

Sean Walker, member of the Staff Blues Band said it is absolutely amazing to perform for a great cause.

“I have friends that have benefited from Habitat for Humanity,” said the junior art major.

Walker said music is a great way to bring people together to help benefit others that are in need.

“Music is a great form of communication,” he said. “It draws people together.”

During the concert, the Staff Blues Band performed original songs, “My Marilyn” and “The Sounds of Grass” which was inspired by a Jackson Pollock painting.

Rolfsen invited Adrian Sobol, a junior creative writing major from Loyola (Chicago), to perform for the benefit concert. Sobol entertained the crowd with his music by singing to the tunes he played on his acoustic guitar. Sobol said he felt honored to be invited and play on Eastern’s campus.

“It is a pleasure for me,” he said. “I never played for a cause before. It’s great to finally be a part of something that is good.”

Sarah Ally, a junior communication disorders and science major, said she is a part of Habitat for Humanity and loves to continually show her support for the organization.

“We as a campus should help show support and donate money for a good cause,” she said. “Monetary support is always needed.”

Ally said she went to help build a house for an individual in Coles County with the Eastern chapter of Habitat for Humanity.

“I didn’t know how fulfilling it would be, but it really was,” she said.

Jessica Leggin can be reached at 581-7942 or at jmleggin@eiu.edu.

Bryan Rolfsen, guitarist and singer of the band Howard, sings at the Habitat for Humanity benefit concert Saturday night at 7th Street Underground. The concert featured five bands with proceeds going to the Habitat for Humanity’s “The House that EIU Built

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