By SALINA POST
When a fellow employee asked, Vortex Companies employees rallied to help make Christmas a little brighter for local children.
Derrick Turner, an employee of Spectrum Metalcraft, a Vortex company, asked the Vortex Companies to be a sponsor of Merry Mayhem, a unique local toy drive and concert event. Turner has been a driving force behind Merry Mayhem for more than a decade, according to information from Vortex.
The event, held on Dec. 10 in The Muse Ballroom, encourages all ages to enjoy several bands while collecting toys and raising funds for a different local charitable cause each year. In addition to the toy drive and concert, the event included a raffle to raise funds to purchase additional toys.
This year's beneficiary of Merry Mayhem was Higher Praise Church. The church had seen an increased need for assistance this year, so the additional assistance was much appreciated.
Vortex employees raised more than $1,200 toward the effort. The funds were used to purchase many toys that were then donated to the church.
Other sponsors included the following, according to the Merry Mayhem event Facebook post.
The Muse Ballroom
Andrew Strong (audio)
JAB IT LLC
Supercharged Tattoo
Pin Ups Salon
WBC Visions
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Additionally, bands that donated their time and talent included the following.
Reform in Ruin
Imajjjin
Love Like War
Hour/Glass
Diabolical Orange Monkey