Country singer Clare Dunn will headline a benefit concert at the Prowers County Fairgrounds Arena on Saturday, September 2nd to help with recovery efforts after an EF-3 tornado destroyed the home of John and Myrna DuVall.
Dunn who grew up in Two Buttes has plenty of Syracuse memories. From showing horses at the Hamilton County Fair to eating a burger at the Sale Barn, Dunn smiles at the memories.
“I used to get my pickup serviced at Davis Motors. And I have hauled sileage around Coolidge, the dairies and feed yards.”
John DuVall has farmed this land for at least three generations. Growing up ranching and farming, Dunn and her sister would drive tractors in the fields next to the DuValls. “Johnny and Myrna DuVall have always been friends and great neighbors to our family. Cell service was spotty, and we were 30 miles from home. The DuValls always looked out for us.”
On the afternoon of June 23rd, the DuValls lost everything they owned, including all barns, corrals, equipment, vehicles, some livestock and eight of their nine dogs when the tornado traveling at approximately 155 mph touched down 15 miles south of the town of Granada in southeastern Colorado. Fortunately, the DuValls survived without injuries by taking cover in their basement after receiving a call from the National Weather Service, advising them to drop everything and take shelter immediately. This tornado marks the strongest to touch down in Colorado since 2015 in Berthoud. Around $3,000,000 is estimated in damages for the DuValls.
“The first time I drove by their place after the tornado happened, I saw Johnny on the phone, sitting in a storage container where his barn had once been,” Dunn says, heavily. “I couldn’t believe it. It was all gone – unrecognizable – there was nothing left. It was devastating. I’m so happy to be a small part of this cause to help raise money for the DuValls.”
The online ticket link for the benefit, titled “DuVall Benefit Concert,” is coming soon. Physical tickets are available at the box office of the Prowers County Fairgrounds and at select local locations including Porky’s Parlor in Syracuse. V.I.P. opportunities will also be available soon.
Clare added, “I’ll be donating one of my guitars for auction, as well as a guitar donated by my friends at @fender (THANK YOU @fenderbilly) as well as some other surprises I think y’all will enjoy!”
If you would like to donate in person in Lamar, CO, please donate to DuVall Benefit Fund at Community State Bank or TBK Bank.
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