Corban McHone, 14, was inspired in late 2022 by his friend Brady O’Brien, a Fort Dodge man who has organized several benefit concerts over the last couple years. At just 13, McHone organized the first Concert4Change in December 2022, which raised $3,500 for a school library in Fort Portal, Uganda.

“One of the reasons this project is important to me is that I want to show people that we can all make a difference in the community around us and even around the world,” McHone said. “I feel like anyone can make an impact on the world no matter what age you are or how much experience you have, God can use you to make a difference in the lives of others.”

Concert4Change will be at 2:30 p.m. Jan. 28 at Grace Lutheran Church, 211 S. Ninth St. Freewill donations will be collected.

McHone’s other inspiration in creating Concert4Change is a nonprofit called Chairs4Change that was started by three Des Moines girls who were adopted from China — Jasmine, JJ and Elyse Ellsbury. The three sisters also have family ties in Fort Dodge.

-Submitted photo
Corban McHone, then 13, of Fort Dodge, poses for a photo with his friend Elyse Ellsbury, of Des Moines, after the Concert4Change presented by McHone in December 2022 at Grace Lutheran Church.

“All three girls use wheelchairs to overcome mobility limitations caused by physical disabilities, which is why their organization is named ‘Chairs4Change,'” McHone said. “Their experience in an orphanage as a child with needs gave them great compassion for kids everywhere who are in need or without family to care for them.”

The Chairs4Change charity runs through a larger non-profit organization called Love Without Boundaries. McHone donates the funds raised from his concerts to Chairs4Change, which then passes it through Love Without Boundaries to the specific project McHone feels called to support.

Last year’s calling was to provide books to Hamukungu Primary school near Fort Portal, Uganda.

“The money was used to buy each of the 350 children one book and buy the school extra books for the library,” McHone said. “The school had only a handful of books for all 350 students.”

This year, McHone is raising money for cleft lip surgeries in Guatemala.

-Submitted photo
Elyse Ellsbury, of Des Moines, introduces her nonprofit Chairs4Change during the December 2022 Concert4Change at Grace Lutheran Church. Concert presenter Corban McHone, 14 of Fort Dodge, was inspired by the work his friend Elyse does for children in need all around the world.

“After last year’s event it was really encouraging because after putting in the effort and getting a lot of support from people in the area and the people around me, it really ended up working out well,” he said. “I am so excited again to support such a worldly organization.”

The concert will feature a roster of local vocalists and musicians from area schools, along with accompanist Shari Leman. Jeff Bluml will emcee the event.

For those unable to attend the concert, donations can be made online at www.lovewithoutboundaries.com/fundraiser/chairs4change and include “Concert for Change” in the notes.