Clapton tribute to boost new nonprofit dedicated to helping prisoners

By Frances Ruth Harris
A new nonprofit dedicated to helping recently released prisoners is introducing itself to Pike County with some classic rock and roll.
The tribute band 461 Clapton Blvd. will celebrate 40 years of Eric Clapton's music in a performance to be held at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, June 21, at the historic Milford Theatre on 114 East Catherine Street. All proceeds will benefit Choosing Integrity, a recently founded nonprofit working to bring a halfway house to Pike County so that inmates don’t have to be separated from their communities and families upon their release. Pike doesn’t have a halfway house, so local residents released from custody must go a far distance for re-entry, even several counties away.
Choosing Integrity board members and volunteers work with inmates at the Pike County Correctional Facility while they're still in custody and after their release to help them successfully reintegrate into community life.
“The volunteers decided to form a nonprofit and focus solely on the needs of The Pike County jail population," said board member Jack Dobson. "It was founded by Hampton Morgan, retired pastor. We have the support of the county commissioners and were recently asked to assist in the formulation of the Pike County re-entry task force.”
Dolson is retired from the Federal Bureau of Prisons and worked with the late John Crerand of Milford, who served as a state constable after retiring from the Federal Bureau of Prisons as an associate warden. Crerand, who died last October, was a Vietnam veteran who dedicated his life to community service.
In addition to Donson and Morgan, the board of directors includes Luke Barbalich, Gean Bechthold, Martha Dubensky, Heather Fiedler, Eric Hammerschmidt, and Lisa Madrigal.
The Delaware Valley Booster Club for the football team will be running the concession stand at the concert fundraiser, which is part of the Milford Music Festival weekend. Tickets are $20 at choosingintegrity.com or $25 at the door.
Tickets may also be purchased at Delaware Auto Parts (107 Dingmans Place, Dingmans Ferry), A Counseling Center (1869 Route 739, Suite 1, Dingmans Ferry), GAIT Therapeutic Riding Center (314 Foster Hill Road, Milford), and Pivot Physical Therapy (Dutch’s Market Plaza, 1564 Route 507 Ste. C, Greentown).
For more information call John Actisdano at 570-618-0309.