Moose Lodge to Host MDDS Benefit Concert

By Lauren Beach, Staff Writer 5:36 PM Thursday, November 12, 2009

MIAMISBURG — This musician hasn’t even been retired for a year, and he’s ready to take the spotlight again.

Darrell Lieurance, former member of local cover band Just-N-Tyme, will perform at the second annual Miamisburg Moose Lodge’s Montgomery County Developmental Disability Services Benefit Concert on Saturday, Nov. 14, less than one year after retiring from the band he helped form more than 35 years ago.

“He must have gotten tired of sitting around and looking at the walls,” said Miamisburg Moose Lodge Chaplain Russ Minger.

But it seems that Lieurance has been doing everything but stare at the walls. Lieurance has worked as a program support assistant at the MDDS’ Calumet employment and training center for 14 years.

“At the time, I never knew these places existed,” Lieurance said.

As soon as he walked in, though, Lieurance knew he couldn’t work anywhere else.

“Once they touch you, it’s hard to walk away from them,” he said.

Since 1968, the board, then known as the MRDD, has been advocating for the rights of individuals with developmental disabilities and has provided those individuals with “an atmosphere that promotes growth, self-esteem and dignity,” according to its philosophy.

“(MDDS) lets them have the chances that everybody else has,” Lieurance said.

The goal of the concert is to raise funds for the students at Calumet during the holidays.

“We want to have a nice dinner and give them Christmas presents,” Lieurance said.

Lieurance said the concert raised several hundred dollars last year, something he hopes to exceed this year with more planning.

Just-N-Tyme will perform songs ranging from ZZ Top to Michael Bublé and everything in between.

“This whole thing is not for the club, it’s not for us, it’s for the (MDDS),” Minger said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-0633 or lbeach@DaytonDailyNews.com.

How to go

What: MDDS Benefit Concert

Where: Miamisburg Moose Lodge, 2110 Central Ave., Miamisburg

When: Saturday, Nov. 14, 8 p.m.

Cost: Donations accepted at the door