Xavior Harrelson benefit concert fundraiser brings in more than $5,000

​Erin Foster of Indianola holds her son, Preston Johnson-Foster, 9, at the Finding Xavior Harrelson Benefit Concert at the Poweshiek County Fairgrounds on Tuesday, June 29. Erin said it breaks her heart that Xavior is missing and that she couldn’t image losing her son. “We were in Memphis yesterday and drove to Indianola, putting up Xavior posters everywhere we stopped,” she said. 

By J.O. Parker
 
    A benefit concert featuring live country music by Iowa’s own Adam Whitehead of Pella and Hunter Mason of Oskaloosa drew a large crowd and numerous media outlets all while raising $5,088.54 for the Xavior Harrelson Reward Fund.
    The event was spearhead by Tina Goff and Joy VanLandschoot of Mollie’s Movement: Finding Others, and was held at the Poweshiek County Fairgrounds on Tuesday, July 29.
    As of July 2, the reward fund has reached $31,618.
   Xavior, an 11-year-old Montezuma boy, went missing on May 27. A public search was held on May 30, drawing 377 people from across the state who came to help find the missing boy.
  In a recent news story, Mitch Mortvedt, Assistant Director at Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, noted that the investigation into Xavior’s disappearance continues.
    The event was made possible thanks to a host of volunteers, food and supplies. Members of the Brooklyn Fire Department grilled and served hamburgers and hot dogs  donated by the Grinnell Fareway and water donated by the Marshalltown Hy-Vee. Harden Propane provided the grill fuel and Rohrer Brothers & Victor Oil donated the use of the grill. Cody’s Tree Service of Brooklyn brought the stage trailer and the Malcom Fire Department furnished the ice. Live Now Designs helped with volunteers, T-shirts and ice.
   Floral Centerpieces where provided by Upfront Floral and Home Decor, Brooklyn, Vonda's Flowers & Gifts, Grinnell, and Montezuma Floral.
    The event also included a silent auction. Items were provided by many individuals and families and the following businesses/organizations: West Side Diner, Crazy Cut Ups, Walmart Grinnell, Theisen's, Sears, Scentsy, Casey's Lawn Care, Beckman Gallery & Gifts and Dairy King of Montezuma.
    The banners were provided by Doty's in Oskaloosa and Total Choice in Grinnell provided flyers. In addition, individuals donated stamps and envelopes to send out flyers as well as paper plates, napkins, condiments and supplies to make the event a success.
    “It was a beautiful display of caring and community effort in finding Xavior Harrelson,” noted VanLandschoot. “This gives us hope that the awareness and money raised will get the attention of the right people to come forward and bring him home. It is important to not give up and keep getting his face and name out there.”
    “Adam Whitehead and Hunter Mason were so kind to share their time and talent to entertain and draw people to this event,” said Montezuma Mayor Jacki Bolen. “The success of the event wouldn’t have been possible without the entertainment or without Joy VanLandschoot and Tina Goff. They worked so hard to put this together in a short amount of time. We appreciate all they have done to push the reward fund to more than $31,000. It was nice to share an evening with everyone together for the same purpose, Xavior. We all just want him safely returned.”
To donate to the Xavior Harrelson Reward Fund, the public should go to www.paypal.com/paypalme/xaviorsrewardfund to direct deposit to the reward fund for finding Xavior Harrelson.