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Concert To Raise Money For Warren Flood Victims

WARREN (AP) - A benefit concert will be held in suburban Detroit to raise money for people whose homes were damaged by heavy flooding in August.

The Warren Community Center Auditorium is hosting the event Saturday. It has been named "Holding On," after a song written by Sean Guerrero, who will headline the concert. All proceeds will go into a fund managed by the city's Department of Human Services and given to Warren residents who are most in need.

"Some of these families are totally devastated, emotionally devastated," said Councilwoman Kelly Colegio, who's spearheading a volunteer effort to help the city's flood victims. "There was an 85-year-old woman whose husband recently passed away and she lost all of his love letters. It broke her heart."

The benefit concert is also intended to thank volunteers assisting in flood cleanup, according to organizers. Tickets for the 7 p.m. event are $15, but volunteers and hundreds of flood victims have been invited to attend for free.

"I think it's a wonderful time for the community to come together for healing and also raising funds," Colegio said.

More than 23,000 homes were damaged by flooding from an Aug. 11 storm, according to Warren officials. Volunteers have assisted about 800 seniors or disabled residents with repairs so far.

Charles Spencer said the main floor of the home belonging to his 91-year-old mother was flooded with nearly a foot of water. He said there was about three feet of water garage, where he was storing his belongings in anticipation of moving closer to his mom.

"Needless to say my stuff was toast," he said. "I am wearing clothes that I got from the St. Mark Parish."

Spencer estimates repairs to his mother's home will cost around $30,000, which she doesn't have. But volunteers pitched in to help tear up the home's floors and cut out walls, he said. The team of volunteers also plans to help with more repairs and purchasing a new furnace.

Spencer said the help has been "a God send."

© Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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