'You Raise Me Up' concert benefits Special Olympics

The exhilaration athletes feel when they train hard for an event, bring their A-game and then triumphantly cross the finish line is something hundreds experience through the Special Olympics.

Several Special Olympics competitors, many of them medalists, will talk about how their involvement in the nonprofit organization's events has impacted their lives when they appear on stage Saturday at the 10th annual "You Raise Me Up" concert at College Church in Wheaton.

"The stories are sometimes heart-wrenching," concert founder and organizer Grant Vankerk said. "They're very touching stories."

Vankerk said the commentary will be delivered by athletes who have been trained in the art of public speaking through the organization's "ambassador" program.

"Special Olympics is so much more than just athletics," he said.

The storytelling sessions will be interspersed during the two-hour show with musical performances, including a set featuring Take Note, a pop choral music choir that is a program of the Lisle Park District, of which Vankerk is a member.

Also on the bill are the Village Vocal Chords, a women's barbershop group, a group from College of DuPage known as Parallel Octaves and Tunes of Glory, a pipes and drums band from Warrenville. In addition, the show will feature The STARS of College Church, a performance group of special needs individuals.

Vankerk, a longtime Special Olympics volunteer, said he and his friend, Brian Birnbaum, launched the "You Raise Me Up" annual concert.

"I've been involved with different community choirs in the area. We wanted to give back to the community. We started it and it was pretty successful," he said.

Karen Schmitz, a fellow member of Take Note, said the concert has been growing in popularity.

"It's been growing gradually. We're probably going to have to get a bigger venue at some point," Schmitz said.

All proceeds from the concert, including ticket sales and goodwill donations, benefit the local region of Special Olympics Illinois. All performances and concert expenses, such as promotions and the concert venue, are donated.

"One hundred percent of the money goes to Special Olympics," Vankerk said. "We kept that as a standard. Typically, it's been $6,000 to $8,000 per year."

If you go

What: You Raise Me Up concert to benefit Special Olympics

When: 3 p.m. Saturday, April 6

Where: College Church, 332 E. Seminary Ave., Wheaton

Tickets: $10; package of five for $40 available at the door or at evenbrite.com