Students Hope Music Will Provide Solace for Tornado Victims

Although it has been over four decades since an EF-4 tornado ripped through Oak Lawn, the pain and sense of loss is as fresh as the day before yesterday.

Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School is dedicating its three winter concerts to the families affected by the deadly tornado in Washington, IL. Many of the students performing are the children and grandchildren of survivors of the 1967 Oak Lawn tornado that claimed 37 lives.

The school will be collecting monetary donations on behalf of the Washington High School Music Boosters, to replace instruments and music supplies blown away on Nov. 17.

It’s a way for students to reach out and help heal the spirit of another band family across the distance. A gesture as simple as replacing a musical instrument will go a long way toward bringing a sense of normalcy back into the lives of families who lost everything.

The tornado relief fundraiser will be held in conjunction with OLHMS’s upcoming winter concerts:

• Beginning Band, 7 p.m. Dec. 3

• OLHMS Band, 7 p.m., Dec. 13

The tornado’s destruction has left families with very little, including students’ musical instruments.

"As a band teacher, I can't imagine how difficult that must be, on top of everything else the families are dealing with," said Beth Lyons, OLHMS Band Director and former Washington, IL summer band teacher.

Read more about OLHMS’ inspiring effort …