Elgin site for Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley benefit concert

The final celebration of Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley's 20th anniversary, will be a benefit concert at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 12, at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. The concert features Beatles tribute band American English. Enjoy an evening singing along to your favorite Beatles songs, “Lucy In the Sky With Diamonds,” “Yesterday” and “Penny Lane.”

The entertainment doesn't stop with the music. Help them tell the Habitat for Humanity story in pictures through a “Reveal Wall.” It's a piece of art that visually chronicles Habitat for Humanity's story of building homes and strengthening families. The Reveal Wall is an inspirational collage of its mission revealed with donations ranging from $1 to $200. Each donation helps create the complete image.

Tickets cost $15 for the balcony, $20 for the main floor and $50 for the Abbey Road seats in the first two rows along with a preconcert reception where you can meet the members of American English and enjoy appetizers and cocktails. Tickets are now available by calling (847) 931-5900 or visiting hemmens.org.

For more information about Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley, contact Barbara Beckman at (847) 836-1432 or barb.beckman@hfhnfv.org

Now in its 20th year, Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley is a nonprofit organization that builds and rehabs homes for low-income families who cannot qualify for conventional mortgages. Buyers work alongside volunteers and help in the construction of their homes. Once completed, the homes are sold to buyers at no profit, and the new homeowners receive a zero-interest mortgage which makes their payments affordable.

In addition to rehabbing homes, the Northern Fox Valley affiliate launched a new program this year called “A Brush with Kindness,” which partners with low-income homeowners to restore weathered exteriors and help to revitalize neighborhoods. In this program, Habitat volunteers perform exterior home maintenance at no cost to the homeowner. The projects entailed painting, landscaping and yard cleanup. While building houses remains the foundation of what they do, it's important to help neighbors already in their homes. By maintaining existing housing stock, it is possible to prevent neighborhoods from deteriorating.