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

The annual event co-hosted by Southeastern Illinois College and Ferrell Hospital featured Howl at the Moon dueling pianists and raised funds for student scholarships and hospital services.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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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 annual Concert for a Cause event showcases the strength of the local community, with sponsors and attendees coming together to support important educational and healthcare initiatives in the region. The funds raised will directly benefit students seeking scholarships at Southeastern Illinois College and expand critical MRI services at Ferrell Hospital.

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 serving as the premier 'On Top of the World' sponsor, Align Wealth Management joining as the 'Hungry Like the Wolf' Dinner Sponsor, and J&M Realty serving as the 'Stayin' Alive' sponsor.

  • 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 Concert for a Cause event and will use the proceeds to fund student scholarships.

Ferrell Hospital

A hospital located in Eldorado, Illinois that co-hosted the Concert for a Cause event and will use the proceeds to expand MRI access through the addition of a covered canopy.

Howl at the Moon

A world-famous dueling piano entertainment group that performed at the Concert for a Cause event.

Dr. Karen Weiss

The President of Southeastern Illinois College.

Rachael Prather

The CEO of Ferrell Hospital.

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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 (wmclradio.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 (wmclradio.com)

What’s next

Additional donation opportunities are available online. To support SIC scholarships and programs, visit sic.edu/give or email giving@sic.edu. To support Ferrell Hospital and the Ferrell Foundation, visit ferrellhospital.org/for-you/ferrell-foundation or email foundation@ferrellhospital.org.

The takeaway

The success of the Concert for a Cause event demonstrates the power of community partnerships to drive positive change. By collaborating to support student scholarships and expanded healthcare services, Southeastern Illinois College and Ferrell Hospital are making a tangible difference in the lives of residents across the region.