RONNIE MCNEIR OF THE FOUR TOPS
MAC'S NEIGHBORHOOD
On February 3, 2007, Ronnie McNeir made a special guest appearance at the Casino Night and Auction Benefit held for the Bucks4Brandi campaign. This is a campaign designed to raise $50,000 for a surgery 16 year old Brandi Moder needs to alleviate the pain and complications caused by three rare spinal disorders. Ronnie, along with fellow soul artists Spyder Turner and Cliff Moore (of Eric and the Vikings) performed at the benefit and chatted with attendees. Ronnie also displayed his formidable skills at the craps table! Below are pictures from the event, including Ronnie’s stunning performance of his original song, “Why Does It Have To Be This Way.” Enjoy the photos and for more on the benefit and overall Bucks4Brandi campaign, please visit www.bucks4brandi.com.
Jefferson County Journal
Motown artists donate to auction for area teen
Casino night-auction set for Feb. 3
Tanya Moder now knows a single e-mail can have a big impact.
Moder, whose 16-year-old daughter, Brandi, has several serious and painful health problems more typically found in the elderly, sent a message about the situation to a musical performer she admires. The star, Four Tops member and solo artist Ronnie McNeir, has recruited other performers to join him in contributing items for an upcoming auction on the Barnhart family's behalf.
Tanya is seeking to raise $50,000 to pay for an operation not covered by insurance that could help lessen her daughter's chronic and debilitating pain caused by spinal disorders. (See related story.)**
"This all started with Ronnie McNeir," Tanya said. "I got a positive response and it snowballed from there."
To raise money for Brandi's procedure, a casino night-auction is scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, at the Elks Lodge in Imperial. McNeir, Russell Thompkins Jr. of the Stylistics, Spyder Turner and Frances Nero have all volunteered to donate signed memorabilia to be auctioned at the event. In addition, soul fans who have learned of the effort have been donating Motown memorabilia, including a signed photograph of Marvin Gaye from the late singer's 1976 tour of England.
Tanya said she has been surprised and grateful at the response the R&B performers and fans have given her.
"I just wrote (McNeir) an e-mail telling him about my daughter," she said. "He's writing Brandi a song and she's thrilled about it. He's entitled it, 'Brandi.'"
Tanya spoke about what will take place at the casino night- auction. The Elks are donating the use of their facility for the event, which is sponsored by Brandi's Blessings, a group of family members and friends who are assisting Tanya in fund-raising efforts.
"Bounce St. Louis is donating casino tables for the night," she said. "There is gambling with play money. There will be a variety of games. People will be able to buy raffle tickets with their winnings to try for a variety of prizes."
Among the prizes available is a pair of tickets from Southwest Airlines that may be used to any destination where Southwest flies.
The overall effort for Brandi is called Bucks4Brandi. The Windsor C-1 School District, where Brandi went to school before it became too painful to do so, and emergency response personnel are among the groups that have conducted fund-raising efforts for her.
The Moders are connected to emergency response personnel. Tanya works as a dispatcher for Jefferson County 911 and her late husband, Denny, was an Arnold police officer.
State Rep. Jeff Roorda, D-Barnhart, knew Denny when Roorda was an Arnold policeman and is assisting in publicizing the fund-raising efforts for Brandi.
"Her dad was an Arnold police officer I worked with who passed away a few years ago," Roorda said. "She's in need of help and lives in my community and I wanted to help.
"We're excited about this event. We're planning for a big crowd."
For more information about the casino night-auction or about Bucks4Brandi, contact Tanya at 314-330-7506 or visit bucks4brandi.com.
