NORMAN — A local family is reuniting for the 19th year to host the annual Sullivan Family Holiday Concert benefiting The Women’s Resource Center at 7 p.m. today at Catlett Music Center, 500 W. Boyd.
Though the concert has free admissions, donations — large and small — are accepted for the center during the concert. Debbie Copp, president of WRC board of directors, said the Sullivan family’s concert makes a big difference for the center.
“Any time you’re the president or on the board of or on the staff of a nonprofit, anything you can do to raise funds is a godsend,” Copp said.
WRC provides emergency and temporary shelter and services to victims of domestic violence, sexual violence and stalking. The shelter also provides services to children who come with their guardians, and in emergency situations, provides a safe place for male victims of domestic violence. Programs include: Domestic Violence Shelter, Domestic Violence Crisis Line, Children’s Program, Sexual Violence Crisis Line, Rape Crisis Center, Court Advocacy and a variety of support groups. All services are free of charge.
Since the concerts began, family matriarch Elizabeth “Betty” Sullivan said every year’s performance has showcased the music family members are performing around the country. Family members over the years have included Sullivan, Sullivan’s late husband, Jim, and their children Pat, KT, Heather, Stacy, Tim, Mike, Danny and Shawn. Several of the Sullivan children enjoy professional careers as musicians and entertainers.
This year’s concert includes four generations of Sullivan’s, including Sullivan, several of her children, as well as Sullivan’s 13-year-old grandson, Montana, playing the piano, and Elizabeth Sullivan’s 7-year-old great-granddaughter, Blythe, singing.
“We do some classic songs, some originals, some standards,” said Sullivan, about the music performed at the concert. “We’re going to run the full gamut of musical expression. Some of it will be original. The whole end of our show is dedicated to the season. It’s not a traditional Christmas concert in that we do everything.”
Sullivan said she hopes audience members are filled with a sense of charity upon leaving the concert.
“I want them to be filled with hope and the feeling we really should have in this season, this season of hope and love for one another and helping one another,” she said.
Hannah Cruz366-3533hcruz@normantranscript.com
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