Salisbury Post October 28-128, 2002

Music for Michael

By Susan Shinn, Salisbury Post

Michael Yang loved music. Voices of Hope - Music in the Park will take place 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3, at Sloan Park.

The concert will feature local acts and there will be activities such as face painting and a balloon release.

All proceeds benefit the Michael Yang Foundation. Its mission is to fund support services for youth and bereaved parents in the local community. The foundation was started by Steve and Lori Yang in memory of their son, Michael, who died Nov. 12, 2001, just before his second birthday.

"We quickly realized that Rowan County lacked the resources and support system for parents dealing with the death of a child," Lori says. "We became involved with an organization called KinderMourn in Charlotte, and it has become an important part of our own healing process."

However, Yang says she knows that not everyone can spend that much time or money traveling back and forth once a week.

"The new program in Salisbury is called Helping Hearts Heal, and it is patterned after KinderMourn," Yang says. "Primarily, we need funding to staff professional counselors who are crucial to the success of this program.

"We've already been contacted by more than 45 parents looking for support, so we know there is a strong need in the community."

She adds, "We were overwhelmed by the support of the community. I thought a grief support group would be beneficial since we're such a tight-knit community."

Sunday's inaugural event also features refreshments available from Faith Soda Shop. Tickets are $5, and may be purchased at KidSports, First Baptist Church of Salisbury and the Rowan County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Children under 6 are admitted free.

Scheduled to appear Sunday are Leanne Honeycutt, Leah Ann Honeycutt, Lori Smith, Donna Hines and Priscilla McWaters, Gaynell Scruggs, Donna Peoples, Kristin Eudy, David King, R.J. Ellenburg, Legacy of High Point and the East Rowan Honors Chorus. Blaine Smith, who will also sing, is coordinating the performances.

The foundation will also support scholarships for Kindermusik and Young Life of Salisbury. Busby & Webb Orthodontics, F&M Bank and Salisbury Pediatric Associates are major local sponsors of the Michael Yang Foundation.

Altogether, the foundation has more than individual and corporate sponsors, and has raised more than $18,000.

One of its first contributors was Dr. William Webb III, a friend of the Yangs'.

"Billy is a close friend," Yang says. "He just loved Michael. When we set up the foundation, he brought me and check and a note and told me, 'I believe in what you're doing.'"

That encouragement, she says, spurred her on.

Webb also told her that he would contribute $1,200 to cover the cost of the stage if she reached 60 sponsors.

"It's just been amazing," Yang says of the support she's received.

The Yangs set up the foundation in their youngest son's memory in June. They also have twin boys, John and Alex, 4.

"We wanted to remember Michael and do something good for the community," Yang says. "We considered a golf tournament, but we thought of things Michael liked, and he loved music."

Yang and her son participated in Kindermusik.

"That was just a special thing we got to do together," she says. "I would like to see a child go to Kindermusik."

Other money raised will help send children to a summer camp sponsored by Young Life.

But primarily, the money raised through the foundation will help fund counselors for Helping Hearts Heal.

The Yangs started attending their support group in Charlotte in January, and still go.

"God put me in this group for the reason of wanting to start a group," Yang says. "I just enjoy it so much."

The 10 couples and individuals are there for each other, she says, remembering their children's birthdates and death dates.

"I don't think I realized the importance of a support group," Yang says. "You have to learn how to live again. I feel very passionately about support."

Yang and three other parents - Bill Smith, Tina Godair and Betty Turner - have started the local support group.

Yang loves to talk about Michael, and says that the most wonderful thing someone can do is to ask about a child who has died.

"I have a lot of hope," Yang says. "That's what I hang on to. I still feel like Michael is right there with me."

Yang hopes to give the same hope for local parents she's gained from her support group.

"I want to raise awareness of grief, and the need for support," Yang says. "It's been a big job trying to get all of this together, but it's been very healing for me."

The concert will conclude with a slide show which will remember children who have died. If you'd like to submit a picture of your child, call Lori Yang at 704-630-0319.

Contact Susan Shinn at 704-797-4289 or sshinn@salisburypost.com

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Salisbury Post November 04-116, 2002

Concert raises grieving spirits and funds for future

By Susan Shinn, Salisbury Post

Not a day goes by, that I don't think of you,

After all this time, you're still with me, it's true

Somehow you remain, locked so deep inside

Baby, oh baby, not a day goes by.

The words that Leanne Honeycutt sang Sunday probably echo daily in the minds of parents who have lost a child.

But these parents also have so many wonderful memories of these children. More than 700 people took the opportunity to gather and remember and have fun Sunday afternoon at the first Voices of Hope concert at Sloan Park.

Steve and Lori Yang organized the event in memory of their son, Michael, who died Nov. 12, 2001, just before his second birthday. From sponsors and donations alone, the concert raised $25,000 for the Michael Yang Foundation, which benefits grief support in Rowan County, and scholarships for Kindermusik and Young Life.

The afternoon featured upbeat praise music by a variety of groups and individuals. Honeycutt, who is Lori Yang's sister, sang "Not a Day Goes By," and "Forever Everyday." The three-hour concert also featured the East Rowan Honors Chorus, which sang several a cappella selections, and Legacy of High Point.

It was a day for lots of smiles, hugs and music. The Yangs' twin sons, John and Alex, 4, ran back and forth in front of the stage with other young children. Older children tossed footballs behind concertgoers, who sat on chairs and blankets.

Many of the Yangs' friends were on hand, including Dr. William Webb III, who gave one of the first donations to the foundation. He also provided additional matching funds which paid for the stage.

"This is a good cause," Webb said modestly. "There was no question we'd be involved."

"This is a wonderful day for them," added Steve Fisher, another friend. "I'm very excited for them. This will be very healing for them."

Faith Soda Shop cooked up hamburgers and hot dogs. The women of Christiana Lutheran Church, where the Yangs are members, sold a variety of cakes, cookies, brownies and pies.

"We've got a crowd here," said the Rev. Carl Haynes, Christiana's pastor.

Lynn Frank was Michael's Kindermusik teacher.

"He was one of our singing angels," she told the crowd. Frank also announced that for every child who attends Kindermusik through the foundation, she will provide matching funds so that more children can attend.

"The energy here is so much more than I expected," Steve Yang said. "Our two concerns were the number of people and the weather, and the Lord blessed us with great success in both. We hope to build on this event for many years to come."

Gaynell Scruggs sang several songs, including "He Laid His Hand on Me," which had a honky-tonk feel. Her "fan club" of friends and family clapped along enthusiastically. Her parents had come, still in their church clothes. They each received hugs and kisses from their daughter.

"We had loads of fun," Scruggs said of the musicians who performed.

The day had bittersweet moments, too. Just after hundreds of white balloons were released in memory of children, Lori Yang sang "I'm Already There." She changed the lyrics to reflect a conversation between mother and son. She also invited any parents who had lost children to come forward. More than three dozen parents stood at the front of the stage and listened to the song, all holding hands with one another.

When she finished, Lori Yang, too, released a white balloon in the sky that she held while she sang.

"I wanted to sing this song just to let parents know that your child is always with you," Lori Yang said later.

Along with her husband, she, too, was pleased with the day's success.

"I already have music picked out for next year," she said.

At the end of the day, the group gathered around the stage to see a slide show in memory of deceased children. Lori Yang said 39 parents submitted pictures for the show.

Ozzie and Patsy Reynolds sent pictures of their son, John O., who died June 11, 1989, in an automobile accident.

"It was just so darn uplifting," said Patsy Reynolds afterward, laughing while tears streamed down her face. "This was absolutely wonderful. I loved the way it brought people together."

Contact Susan Shinn at 704-797-4289 or sshinn@salisburypost.com.