Published: September 18, 2008 11:00 pm         

Concert tickets selling quickly

SOMERSET — Looking to generate revenue as expenses rise and outside money vanishes, the Area Agency on Aging of Somerset County is well on its way to selling out a benefit concert in November.

Administrator Art DiLoreto said Thursday the agency has sold about 400 of the 860 tickets available for the concert, featuring Chuck Blasko and The Vogues, on Nov. 2 at the Somerset Area High School auditorium.

Officials are hoping to raise about $8,000 to be shared among seven senior centers throughout the county, based on participation at the centers.

Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased at any of the senior centers or at the agency’s administrative office in Somerset. The concert will take place on a Sunday afternoon when the Pittsburgh Steelers aren’t playing, DiLoreto is quick to point out.

“For $10 on a nice fall afternoon in a great location, you can’t really beat it,” he said.

DiLoreto said additional sponsors also have come forward to help with refreshments at the concert.

The Vogues have had 18 top-20 hits and have previously performed at Somerfest, two of the agency’s senior picnics and Seven Springs.

DiLoreto said the agency organized the fundraiser as its costs have increased 14 percent during the past five years while its funding has risen only 7 percent.

This year, expenses in the agency’s $4 million budget are expected to skyrocket as much as $200,000.

“That doesn’t include service cuts we’ve already made over five years,” DiLoreto said.

“This is a time that demands creativity.”

     

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