BRISTOL — These three pictures are taken of the same little Ugandan boy, over six weeks. Emergency surgery and four weeks of enriched nutrition have saved three-year-old Elvis’s life. But he needs two more surgeries and a lot more food before he grows up into the healthy little boy that he can be. The “Old Bones,” a country and gospel music group, want to help.
How can listening to feel good country music, enjoying lots of laughter and having a delicious home cooked meal help desperate children like Elvis? On Saturday, April 1, at 6:30 p.m., you can find out! The local music group “Old Bones” will perform their ninth annual benefit country and gospel concert at the First Baptist Church of Bristol, where a delicious Shepherd’s Pie supper will be served at 5:30 p.m. One-hundred percent of the proceeds will make emergency surgeries and necessary food and medicines available for over 115 vulnerable Ugandan children through the work of Village2Village Project, a charity born in Bristol, Vt. and founded by Laurie Kroll.  
Over the years, the “Old Bones” has raised thousands of dollars for the Village2VillageProject, which has served Ugandan children since 2003. “We have watched children in critical need like Elvis thrive over the years we have been in this village,” says Laurie, “I am so thankful that the Baptist Church and ‘Old Bones’ have been such an amazing team.”  When asked why they do it, the musicians remarked, “We feel incredibly blessed to live in nice homes in the beautiful state of Vermont. We are very happy to offer musically what we have to raise money for Village2VillageProject and their wonderful work in Uganda. They provide care for children who face unbelievable hardships every day!”
Some of the children V2V serves in this rural Ugandan village are now finishing University and taking their places in the community. One is a medical student and has been assisting during surgeries in her local hospital, and another is a lawyer who provides legal protection for women facing gender based violence.
The delicious meal of Shepherd’s pie, brownies a la mode and more will cost $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 6-12, and children 5 and under are free. The music will begin at 6:30 p.m. Donations will be received at the concert. Help make a world of difference for Village2Village children like Elvis who need surgeries, necessary food and medication. For more information about Village2Village Project’s work in Uganda, visit www.village2villageproject.org or find them on Facebook.