An additional fundraising concert to benefit local police departments is taking place this weekend to raise extra money for the Brackenridge Police Department.
This concert was added in the aftermath of the fatal shooting of Brackenridge police Chief Justin McIntire in January, said David “Mogie” Magill, co-founder of AK Valley Back the Blue, which benefits local police departments and other nonprofits.
Back the Blue already made donations to Brackenridge’s police department earlier this year to help out after McIntire was killed on duty Jan. 2, Magill said.
“We’re doing this to show our support for the local law enforcement community and to show that we are with them,” Magill said.
The three previous Back the Blue concerts raised about $25,000 to help local police departments with shortfalls.
The AK Valley Back the Blue concert on Saturday will feature eight live bands and artwork by sports artist Larry “Klu” Klukaszewski.
Klukaszewski donated portraits of Roberto Clemente, Franco Harris and Sidney Crosby for the event’s silent auction.
Typically, Back the Blue concerts are scheduled for the summer. This year is no different, with the fourth annual concert set for June 24 at Mogie’s Irish Pub in Lower Burrell.
Police departments receiving donations from the concert are in New Kensington, Arnold, Lower Burrell, Upper Burrell and Brackenridge. The Tunnel to Towers Foundation also benefits.
Organizers will take a collection during Saturday’s concert for McKeesport’s police department, which lost Officer Sean Sluganski, who was shot to death earlier this month.
There are unforeseen expenses that arise with all law enforcement agencies, Back the Blue organizers said.
“What we try to do is help them with a buffer with funds raised by our committee and to help in any facet,” said Ron Balla, co-founder of Back the Blue, an assistant distribution supervisor for the Municipal Authority of the City of New Kensington and a former constable.
Back the Blue funds have paid for police dog expenses, equipment for police cruisers, some protective gear for officers and other needs, Balla said.
The recent shooting deaths of local police officers in Brackenridge and McKeesport have moved people and shone a light on their needs, he said.
“People are looking for some type of avenue to show their support for law enforcement,” Balla said. “That is a very special thing, and our Back the Blue events are providing that opportunity for people.”
The Back the Blue concert will feature bands playing a spectrum of rock and pop music, including metal, contemporary Christian, blues and boogie.
Bands include 13 Stories, Present Tense, Missing Link, A Common Crown, Risen to Save, Big House Pete, Curtis and The Shakerz, and The Knockoffs. Conny Creek Brewing will provide refreshments.
Admission is $10 for the band blast running from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the AK Valley Park Event Center at 600 Freeport Road in New Kensington.
