Concert for a Cause 2026 Raises over $24K for Scholarships and Expanded MRI Access

The annual fundraiser event at Southeastern Illinois College featured Howl at the Moon dueling pianists and supported student scholarships and healthcare services.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The 2026 Concert for a Cause: Howl at the Moon Dueling Pianos event, held at Southeastern Illinois College's Deaton Gymnasium and co-hosted with Ferrell Hospital, raised over $24,000 to support SIC student scholarships and expanded MRI access at Ferrell Hospital. The event featured the dynamic talents of the world-famous Howl at the Moon musicians and welcomed 316 attendees for an evening of audience requests, laughter and nonstop entertainment.

Why it matters

The fundraiser event demonstrates the strength of the local community, with sponsors and guests coming together to support important educational and healthcare initiatives. The partnership between Southeastern Illinois College and Ferrell Hospital allows them to expand access to scholarships and medical services in the region.

The details

Financial support for the event was generated through sponsorships, ticket sales, donations, a silent auction, the Balloon Pop, the Heads-or-Tails game and specialty drink contributions. Sponsorships played a vital role, with All in One Real Estate, Align Wealth Management, and J&M Realty serving as top sponsors. The event featured dinner prepared by SIC Falcon Bistro Chef Michael Intravaia and cash beverage services provided by Morello's Restaurant.

  • The 2026 Concert for a Cause: Howl at the Moon Dueling Pianos event was held on February 14, 2026.

The players

Southeastern Illinois College

A community college located in Harrisburg, Illinois that co-hosted the fundraiser event.

Ferrell Hospital

A hospital in the region that co-hosted the fundraiser event and will use the proceeds to expand MRI access.

Howl at the Moon

A world-famous dueling piano entertainment group that performed at the event.

Dr. Karen Weiss

The president of Southeastern Illinois College.

Rachael Prather

The CEO of Ferrell Hospital.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Events like this show the strength of our community. Because of the generosity of our sponsors and guests, more students will have access to scholarships at SIC while Ferrell Hospital continues expanding important health services for our region. Partnerships like this make a real difference for our communities.”

— Dr. Karen Weiss, President, Southeastern Illinois College (webqradio.com)

“We loved seeing the community come together for Dueling Pianos on Feb. 14. Partnering with Southeastern Illinois College made this event even more special, and we're grateful for the continued support and enthusiasm from everyone who attended.”

— Rachael Prather, CEO, Ferrell Hospital (webqradio.com)

What’s next

Additional donation opportunities are available online to support SIC scholarships and programs, as well as Ferrell Hospital and the Ferrell Foundation.

The takeaway

The successful fundraiser event demonstrates the power of community partnerships to expand access to education and healthcare services, highlighting the generosity and enthusiasm of local sponsors and attendees.