He and his family are among the thousands of people hit by the Woolsey, and Hill brush fires in Ventura and Los Angeles counties. But, John Ondrasik of Westlake Village says firefighters were able to keep the Woolsey fire from destroying his home. Ondrasik wanted to help give back, to help fire victims, as well as the victims of the Borderline Bar and Grill attack in Thousand Oaks which took 12 lives.
So did a friend of his, fellow Westlake Village resident Kevin Cronin. If you’re a rock music fan, you are going to recognize these names. Cronin is the lead singer for legendary rock band REO Speedwagon. And, Ondrasik is better known to fans as the musician “Five For Fighting.”
The REO Speedwagon front man and his wife Lisa organized a pair of benefit concerts which took place this month at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. Cronin says other artists like Richard Marx, Eddie Money, and even his sons and daughter joined in the effort, which raised more than $360,000 dollars for Borderline attack, and Hill and Woolsey Fire victims.
Vanessa Bechtel is President and CEO of the Ventura County Community Foundation, which is handling the main relief fund in the region. The total raised stands at $4.8 million dollars. Bechtel says more than two million dollars has been raised for the shooting victims, and their families. $2.8 million dollars is being administered by the community foundation to help fire victims.
Ondrasik says it feels great for the musicians to be able to use their talents to help victims of the disasters, as well as to thank first responders.
And now, the country music community is stepping up to help. The Academy of Country Music just announced superstar Trace Adkins will headline a February 11th benefit at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza called “Borderline Strong.”
