Lip Sync Battle to raise funds for AMVETS Post 7 in Alexandria
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The Cenla VIP Lip Sync Battle set for next Friday, Nov. 10., will feature many locally known faces lip syncing to music of all genres.
“We’ve got soul. We’ve got country. We’ve got patriotic. There's something for everyone,” said Brenda Luttgeharm one of the organizers along with Elaine Setliff.
Though the event sounds like it will be a lot of fun, Luttgreharm said it has a serious purpose. It is a fundraiser for local AMVETS Post 7.
“It wasn’t necessarily wanting to do something for somebody. It was wanting to do something for our vets,” said Luttgeharm, who is the wife of a veteran.
One of the reasons she and Setliff wanted to do this for AMVETS is because they think it’s “a great resource and they want to make sure they are there for many years to come.”
“A lot of people don’t realize what the AMVETS do. They actually do everything,” said Setliff.
For over 70 years, AMVETS has been helping veterans on every level.
“That’s why it’s so important for all of us to help our local AMVETS. Because their service and their skill set is just incredible,” she said.
According to amvets.org, AMVETS was "Founded in 1944 and chartered by an act of Congress, the AMVETS organization has more than 250,000 members nationwide. AMVETS exists to enhance the quality of life for all veterans, their families and survivors.”
The website goes on to say that “AMVETS has made a long-term economic impact by providing assistance, jobs, and services to veterans and their communities for more than 70 years.”
“With our country being in the state that it’s in right now, we don’t know at what point we might have soldiers that need to be integrated back into our community,” said Luttgeharm.
The event will be held at Convention Hall 915 3rd Street in downtown Alexandria. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. with the event starting at 7 p.m. There will be a cash bar, silent auction and multiple other things to help raise money.
"We need to be more prevalent in helping our veterans because that is why we are able to do what we do because of all that the veterans have sacrificed for many years,” said Setliff.
The event will be held at Convention Hall 915 3rd Street in downtown Alexandria. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. with the event starting at 7 p.m. There will be a cash bar and silent auction.
Individual tickets are $30 and couples' tickets $50. Tickets will be sold at the door but Luttgeharm said they are trying to pre-sell as many tickets as they can so they can focus on the event that night. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cenla-vip-lip-sync-battle-fundraiser-to-benefit-amvets-post-7-tickets-736744632027?aff=oddtdtcreator&fbclid=IwAR1AiurU4-yIgkNdC7tP7Kbd8avlr3FWwWzsp0JjZyasoKPTZrL_85RRSRE
Tickets can also be purchased by scanning the QR code on the flyer. Patrons are encouraged to use the QR code on the flyers to get their tickets. If they have any other questions, they can call Setliff at (318) 419-4402.
“The whole point is to try and make money for the organization,” said Luttgeharm.
Setliff said they are thrilled with their corporate sponsors who have donated a $1,000 per table.
“Every penny we’re raising goes to the AMVETS Post 7. It all stays local. Every dime of it. The AMVETS are so diligent with the funds they receive and the funds they disperse and how they assist the veterans,” said Setliff. “And they assist all of them on every level you can think of. There’s nothing that they can’t do to help our veterans.”
Setliff said they have some “amazing talent“ in the lineup up that includes Brian Thompson with Thompson Law Firm, LLC., Rod Noles of Nole Property Management, Rapides Sheriff Mark Wood, Pee Wee Morrow of House Call Home Inspections, Eddie Duncan of Duncan’s Pest Control, Walmart Neighborhood Market #3727, John Landry of Homeside Mortgage, Roderick McIntosh with Rhodes Realty, Associates at Red River Bank, Post Commander Kelly McFarlain and Pineville Mayor Rich Dupree along with a few surprise guests.
“We’ve got all kinds of songs and dances being done. And they are all done by local professionals that love our veterans and want to have people be able to assist our veterans by giving them the money they need to take care of the veterans. We have so many who are in need here in Central Louisiana,” said Setliff.
Thompson does sing, but as a member of the church choir at Calvary Baptist Church.
“But this will be lip syncing. Thankfully, I won’t have to sing a solo,” he said.
“While I have a lot of experience with a microphone, I have never been mistaken for being able to sing with one,” said Dupree while laughing.
He was a little shocked at seeing all the names he knew on the poster. Since it was a fundraiser and he saw that others were committed, he decided to answer the challenge.
"And hopefully won't embarrass myself too much,” said Dupree.
Thompson said they will be “singing” the Blue Swede version of “Hooked on a Feeling” and Dupree to Toby Keith’s “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue.”
“We’ll have backup singers - ladies from the office here. It should be fun,” said Thompson. He is happy to help out AMVETS and has helped with other programs in the past.
“It’s a way to give back to the people that provided so much for the country. We’re happy to help anytime they call me,” he said.
Setliff said that everything cost so much money nowadays so that’s the reason they are hosting this fundraiser they they put a lot of hours and time into.
“It is going to be hysterical. It is going to be humbling and we’re honored – honored – to do this for our veterans,” said Setliff.
Check out the Facebook page for AMVETS Post 7 Alexandria, Louisiana for more information.
This article originally appeared on Alexandria Town Talk: Lip Sync Battle to raise funds for AMVETS Post 7 in Alexandria
