The youth group at Calvary Assembly of God, at the corner of 17 Mile and Olin Lakes in Cedar Springs, has organized a benefit music show with several local Christian bands to raise funds for pediatric cancer research. The show is on Friday, April 30, with doors opening at 7:00 p.m. There is a $2 cover charge per person.

“I’m very proud of our youth group,” said Calvary Assembly of God Pastor Craig T. Owens. “They are the heart and the hands of this show.”

The youth group first became aware of the strain of cancer called neuroblastoma while participating in “PROJECT:Smile!” This project was organized by Michael and Amy Hagerman of Muskegon, whose youngest daughter recently died from the effects of neuroblastoma. The Hagermans have two older daughters (Katy, 7, and Audrey, 4) and they wanted to find a way to bring smiles to their daughters during Bethany’s last days. The Calvary youth group was actively involved in sending cards and gifts to the Hagerman girls as a part of “PROJECT:Smile!”

Although Bethany passed away on March 10, 2010, the Calvary youth group wanted to continue to help other families who may be going through a similar circumstance. So “Rockin’ For Smiles” was born.

Several local Christian bands have agreed to play on April 30, and all of them have waived their usual booking or appearance fees to help raise money. All of the money raised will go to Noah’s Neuroblastoma Research Fund, for ongoing research through the University of Michigan. So far the following bands have confirmed their participation: Icris, Edge From Falling, Come Find The Lion, Letters From Home, Abstract Faith, Kidd Alias, and Oh! The Storm.

Calvary Assembly of God is located at 810 17 Mile Road, Cedar Springs, MI. For more information, contact Craig T. Owens at (616) 667-7773.