By PATRICK HALL

Once again, Wilson County is striving to help those in need with local resident Tracy Lawrence holding a benefit concert on Sunday, and a number of local restaurants donating items and money to the Brooks House.

However, at the same time, one local charity has been hit hard by the economy and is struggling to help our community.

Lawrence is holding a concert on Sunday, April 29, to benefit local non-profit, Lace Up 4 Pink, an organization that strives to help local people dealing with cancer.

He held his first Celebrity Golf Tournament at Five Oaks Golf and Country Club last year to help battle cancer, but this year decided to offer more opportunities to raise money.

Since his wife battled breast cancer a few years ago, Lawrence has been passionate about helping the organizations and people who try to make life a little easier for those struggling with cancer.

The concert will offer some excellent entertainment with the added benefit of donating to Lace Up 4 Pink and the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation.

Of course, the second annual celebrity golf tournament will follow on Monday, April 30, with all the proceeds going toward the non-profit organizations.

At the same time, local restaurants are teaming up to benefit Brooks House, which enjoyed a large fund-raiser this past weekend with the Hits for the House concert. For the next four weeks, restaurants will be collecting household items and cleaning supplies for donation to the House.

Also, on Tuesday, May 22, the participating restaurants will donate 10 percent of that day’s sales to Brooks House. The restaurants offering a helping hand include Zaxby’s, McDonald’s, CiCi’s Pizza, Whitt’s BBQ, HoneyBaked Ham, Painturo’s and Blue Moon BBQ.

While the Brooks House works tirelessly to help women and families in need, another local non-profit organization, Potter’s House, is struggling to stay afloat.

The organization located on Lake Street, began many years ago, helping men, women and children in nearby Federal housing projects. During its 20-year history, the Potter’s House has converted former crack houses into safe havens for men and women overcoming drug addictions and for children coming home from school.

The non-profit has also established a ministry in the area, providing spiritual services to the local residents as well as meeting other basic needs. The organization’s IKE Project, helps hundreds of local children each summer find constructive and safe activities, catch up or get ahead in school and more.

If you would like to assist the Potter’s House, call 449-9019.