ILLINOIS—An average of 17 Philadelphia Church of God members from northern Illinois and from Wisconsin worked together at three separate evening events in January and February selling concessions at the Sears Centre Arena under the direction of Associate Pastor Eric Anderson and Chicago deacon Jim Privratsky Sr.

The first event was a sell-out country music concert that took place the night of January 20. By the end of the show, 18 PCG volunteers had brought in a record-breaking sales commission of $3,080, plus $813 in cash tips.

At the second event, 15 PCG volunteers raised $1,158 during a Monster Truck Nationals show the night of January 27.

On the night of February 3, 18 PCG volunteers raised $2,463 working a third event—a Professional Championship Bull Riders competition.

The combined profit from the three events amounted to $7,515. The funds will be added to the northeast region’s annual summer speedways and fall fruit sale proceeds and sent to headquarters in early 2019 to support the Church’s aircraft fund.

Wisconsin member Ben Tryba added, “This fundraiser was a great opportunity to spend time working with the brethren from Chicago.”

Chicago member David Privratsky noted how these types of fundraisers help unify the brethren, saying that working together was “a unique and special opportunity to interact with God’s people apart from weekly services; it helped strengthen the spiritual family bond.”