Gospel concert will benefit families of Gesner St. fire in southwest Philadelphia

A gospel concert tonight will raise money for victims of the southwest Philadelphia fire that killed four children two weeks ago.

 

Family members could be in for a big surprise according to the organizer, 29-year-old local gospel artist Emmanuel Fuller.

“I don’t want to give it away, but not only are they going to get something, they’re going to get somewhere to go,” said Fuller. “It’s crazy, we have so much stuff in store for these families tonight, they have no clue.”

The doors open at 7 p.m. and the music begins at 8 tonight at First Baptist Church of Paschall, at 71st Street and Woodland Avenue. The concert is free, no tickets required.

A collection will be taken up throughout the evening. The performance will feature local artists including Kefia Rollerson, rapper Doc Hero and others.

Fuller said he was inspired to plan the event after visiting the site of the July 5 fire on Gesner Street.

When he started planning the show, Fuller thought it would be a small event. It has quickly turned into what he called the gospel concert of the summer — the First Baptist Church of Paschall holds 1,700 people.

“I wanted to have something to get these people just a little bit of money, a token of love,” said Fuller. “These people are really going to get some help tonight, I’ve never been more excited for anything.”