McDonald's Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour Raises More Than $108,000; Sets New Record (PHOTOS)
The McDonald's Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour raised more than $108,000 for Ronald McDonald House Charities, setting a new record for the third consecutive year in a row.
In July, Gospel music superstars Erica Campbell, Anthony Brown and Group TherAPy wrapped up the spectacular 12-city tour, which kicked off in Philadelphia in May.
Gospel music lovers came out in droves to experience the free Summer concert series, which also featured Kurt Carr and The Kurt Carr Singers, Moses Tyson Jr., Uncle Reece, The Mississippi Mass Choir and comedian Jonathan Slocumb.
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Last year the tour, which supports families of sick and terminally ill children, raised more than $83,000. This year's proceeds mark the most the tour has ever raised.
For 40 years RMHC has provided resources like housing to millions of these families around the world, to help eliminate the financial strain that often comes with caring for a sick child.
"One thing I love most about this tour is that it helps so many people," Executive Producer Hoyett Owens told The Christian Post previously. "It's another extension of McDonald's being deeply rooted in the community."
Campbell, who co-hosted the tour alongside Slocumb, previously expressed her delight in being able to use her musical talents to give back to the community, particularly because she came from humble beginnings.
"It can really bring me to tears because I know what its like to go through and feel lost and I know what music did for me," the "Help" singer told CP.
"I remember being in college with absolutely no money. I was in hair school even though I knew I was supposed to sing. I was like 'well you know you've got to finance the dream' [so] I'm in hair school I have no money, I have no gas in my car. I'm scraping around my car to see if I have 35 cents for a 35 cent hamburger from McDonald's that was across the street from my college and I would listen to 'Stand' by Donnie McClurkin," she said. "And so when people share with me that something that I sang was able to help them through that point ... oh God it's just so beautiful it makes it worth it."
In April, Campbell and Brown spent several hours connecting with grief-stricken families and raising spirits at Ronald McDonald House (Gatewood). There they signed CDs and offered words of encouragement ahead of the 2014 McDonald's Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour.
