While Backpack Pals of Richmond County volunteers were still out collecting ticket sales from area businesses Monday afternoon, Program Coordinator Pastor Steve Crews called Saturday’s night’s Tribute to the Stars at Cole Auditorium was a success for the non-profit.

“I think we raised enough money to provide food for the children for about a month from the show,” Crews said Monday.

The show itself featured impersonators of Elvis Presley, Patsy Cline, Neil Diamond and original child act The Gaddis Sisters, and was received well, according to Cole Auditorium Director Joey Bennett.

“I think it did okay,” Bennett said, explaining there were more than 200 people seated for the show. “It was neat to do it for such a good cause, and with the performers volunteering their time. I think the crowd really enjoyed it.”

“The show went real well, and we had a real good turnout,” Crews said. “We were really pleased with the number of people who turned out, and would like to thank everybody who did come out, and all our supporters.”

Since Backpack Pals began sending about 40 children home with food on Fridays in 2007, it has expanded the number of students it assists each year.

Last year, the program provided 325 backpacks of food each week to students in Richmond County’s elementary and primary schools. This year, that number is 409.

The charity’s mission is to provide food to children who likely don’t have much at home, often the same students who receive free or reduced price breakfast and lunches at school.

A benefit for the charity last September featured country music recording artist Bucky Covington performing on Harrington Square in downtown Rockingham, and raised as much as 3,000 pounds in food donations for Backpack Pals and the Our Daily Bread Food Ministry.

Saturday night, the focus was on the stars of the past, Elvis and others, and the future, The Gaddis Sisters, however.

“There was a little something there for everybody,” Crews said. “Really, your favorite probably depended on your age. The younger people there, who like the more modern music - they really enjoyed the Gaddis girls, but the adults and senior citizens there seemed to really get a kick out of Patsy Cline.”

And then, there was the King.

“Of course, there’s a group of people who love Elvis Presley and anything to do with him,” Crews said. “They were definitely at the show.”

Backpack Pals of Richmond County Spokesperson Kim Lindsey reminded supporters that an event like this isn’t necessary to give to the cause of feeding hungry children in the county.

The group’s Web site, www.backpackpalsrc.com, has a Pay Pal set up for secure donations, and checks and money orders can also be sent to Backpack Pals of Richmond County at 615 Cheraw Road, Hamlet, N.C. 18345.

“We take donations throughout the year,” Lindsey said. “We’re always fundraising. This is an on-going effort, so if someone would like us to come out and speak at their civic organization or church, we have a group of speakers lined up and we love to get out and spread the word.”

She said Backpack Pals relies on the community for its support, and summed up the organization’s philosophy of keeping the community in the loop with what the non-profit is doing.

“If you don’t have community knowledge, you don’t have community awareness, and if you don’t have community awareness you don’t have community activity.”

Staff Writer Philip D. Brown can be reached at (910) 997-3111 ext. 32, or by e-mail at pbrown@yourdailyjournal.com.