Little River Band to rock for Habitat for Humanity

Blue Water Habitat for Humanity has big plans for this summer.

And with those plans, come costs.

So Ernest Werth said they decided to go big.

"We've done lots of different things, but this is probably the largest scale — to take on a band that is this well known and famous for decades," said Werth, Habitat's executive director.

Little River Band will perform at the Lexington Village Theatre June 4, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Habitat for Humanity.

"We're very, very excited," Werth said. "The band is assisting us with that, as is the Lexington theater. Those partnerships are actually making this possible."

Band member Greg Hind said the group was happy to help.

"We were impressed the first time we played in (Lexington in) 2008. We walked into the theater and were just blown away by it," Hind said. "It's just a world-class complex, and I love the town, anything we can do to help the town."

Hind liked it so much in Lexington, he married the theater's general manager.

Being able to bring the band together to perform there and do it for a good cause was a simple decision, he said.

"I'm always blown away by organizations like that," Hind said. "I'm always in awe of any organization or people or person that would help underprivileged people like that."

Hind said while the band usually performs two shows a night, June 4 will feature one 90-minute performance.

The band is now based in Nashville, but originated in Australia in 1975.

Hind, who has been with the band since 2000, said that because the band has had so many hits, the shows are always memorable.

Little River Band's hits include "It's a Long Way There," "Help Is on Its Way," "Take It Easy On Me," "Man On Your Mind," "We Two," and "The Other Guy."

"As time goes on, you're just grateful every time you step on the stage," he said.

Habitat for Humanity has three projects slated for this summer.

The first is a new home construction on Second Street in Yale.

Habitat has partnered with the Yale Education Association on the project, which has committed to raising $50,000. The future homeowner is an employee of the school district, whose children attend Yale schools.

In August, Habitat will be rehabilitating a home on Rural Street in Port Huron.

And in September, the organization will launch a Women-build project.

"This project is designed to engage women in all aspects of the process Blue Water Habitat for Humanity goes through to bring a project to fruition from fundraising to actual construction," said Aubree Mayhew, Habitat's resource development director.

Contact Liz Shepard at (810) 989-6273 or lshepard@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @lvshepard.

IF YOU GO

LITTLE RIVER BAND

•Little River Band will perform at 7:30 p.m. June 4 at the Lexington Village Theatre.

•Tickets can be purchased at: lexingtonvillagetheatre.com/home/tickets. Tickets are $35 to $45, with cabaret seating for two $250.

•A portion of proceeds benefit Blue Water Habitat for Hummanity.

HOW TO HELP

BLUE WATER HABITAT

•The non-profit organization is raising $100,000 to build a handicap-accessible home for a single mother of three children. People can donate to the fund in three ways:

•Women Build Giving Club: Individual contributions of $100 to $1,000 per month over the next four months.

•Gifts of donated labor and materials.

•Business sponsorship opportunities.

•For more information contact Aubree Mayhew at (810) 985-9080 ext. 205

Habitat for Humanity build schedule

•Yale — Partnership with the Yale School District; expected to start June 6

•202 Rural St., Port Huron — Rehab project expected to start Aug. 15

•33rd Street, Port Huron — Women Build project; expected to start mid-September