The raptors need your help

MILFORD — On Jan. 8, a fire broke out at the Delaware Valley Raptor Center, a rehabilitation center for birds of prey located in Milford. To help the center get back on its feet, several arts and environmental organizations, including The Delaware Highlands Conservancy, Harmony Presents and RiverFolk Concerts, are putting on a benefit concert featuring two local bands, Little Sparrow and The Merrill Lynch Jazz Quartet. They will perform at the Hawley Silk Mill on Feb. 20.

“Little Sparrow is a favorite Sullivan County band, performing a mix of traditional bluegrass, sixties rock and Americana since 2008 on mandolin, banjo, guitar, fiddle and bass," says Jill Carletti, managing director of Harmony Presents. "The Merrill Lynch Jazz Quartet is an all-star team of superb musicians from Northeastern Pennsylvania. Their musical prowess, catchy grooves, inventive songwriting and new takes on classic jazz standards will take audiences on a stock rising thrill-ride." Delaware Valley Raptor Center is a private, not-for-profit, tax-exempt state and federally licensed rehabilitation organization dedicated to the rehabilitation and conservation of birds of prey such as hawks, eagles, owls, falcons, and vultures. Their goals are to provide humane professional care for orphaned, ill, and injured raptors so they can ultimately be returned to the wild, healthy and no longer dependent upon humans for survival.

“It feels great to work on this project with two other wonderful organizations," said Carletti. "It’s also so very tremendous of these two bands to donate their time and talent to this deserving charity. I know this will be yet another example of the good things that happen when everyone works together.”

Those unable to attend the show may donate to the Delaware Valley Raptor Center at harmonypresents.com, riverfolkconcerts.com, or dvrconline.org.

Unlike regularly scheduled Harmony Presents shows in the Hawley Silk Mill, the Cocoon Catering Cart will not be available at this show. Audiences are encouraged to bring their own liquor for this particular event. Refreshments will be available free of charge and additional goods and services will be raffled off in support of the raptor center.