Jimmie Allen holds concert to benefit the Heacook family
Local country music star Jimmie Allen performed a sold-out concert at the Bottle & Cork May 10 to benefit the family of fallen Delmar Police Cpl. Keith Heacook.
The event pulled in over $46,100 to the Matthew Heacook fund. Matthew is the family’s 12-year-old son.
Funds were raised from the door admission, bar revenue and auction. Organizers passed the hat near the end of the concert and garnered more revenue.
Speaker of the House Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth Beach, spoke to the crowd about Cpl. Heacook’s funeral, and the tremendous show of love and support by the community and fellow officers from all over the country.
“I want to point out that not only was Keith a hero in Delmar,” said an emotional Schwartzkopf. “The last thing he did as he died was to donate his organs so that others may live a longer and better life. His legacy will live on in others. The fundraiser was a great success, and Jimmy put on a great show.”
“I’m really grateful for the really huge turnout,” said Highway One Group’s Alex Pires. “Almost 600 people stood in line for over two hours, and some got in for just a few songs. Jimmie had a great time and even auctioned off his shirt that raised $2,500 for the fund.”
Local builder Nate Graulich of Graulich Builders was the happy high bidder.
“Our community has really come together to support the family who has suffered from the loss of a true hero,” said Graulich. “We all owe a great deal of gratitude and appreciation for the men and women that risk their lives every day as first responders, and gratitude for Jimmie for putting on a great show. I am thankful that I could contribute.”
“People who couldn’t come to the concert and would still like to donate can take it to the Rusty Rudder seven days a week,” Pires added.
Pires recognized community members Chris and Preston Schell, Richard “Dickie” Harrison and Community Bank for their generous donations.
“That’s a terrible situation. I’m definitely keeping his family and friends in my prayers,” Allen said in a short video posted to Facebook May 4.
Heacook died April 28 as a result of injuries suffered from an April 25 attack during an early morning response to a fight at a home on Buckingham Drive in Yorkshire Estates.
A full police detail funeral was held May 10, at Emmanuel Wesleyan Church in Salisbury, Md. There was an eight-mile caravan of police cars with lights flashing to honor the fallen officer.
