The second annual 89Q FREE Hope in the Park endured weekend rains to bless around 4500 attendees in Wausau. Danny Gokey was this year’s featured artist on Sunday, August 28th. Hope in the Park is way for the station to thank the community for their financial support throughout the year, said 89Q General Manager Coy Sawyer. “Not only is it a giant thank you event, but it’s a wonderful outreach for our Gospel mission.”
The event featured Life Promotions speaker Bob Lenz Gospel message, Illusionist Tom Coverley wowed the crowd with his Illusion gift and then Dignity Revolution shared how they are helping students dealing with self-esteem and mental health issues.
Hope in the Park also features testimonies from area non-profits like the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Lights of Christmas program. Lights of Christmas shared life-impacting stories of people who received gift cards from area Police officers. 89Q networks with area departments to get gift cards to the officers who give to people in need through the cold winter months. Over 1300 pairs of socks and underwear were collected for an area program called Seats and Feets. S&F networks with area schools to help low income families with these necessities for their young children.
Children’s activities and food vendors were on-site all day and then Hope in the Park concluded with Danny Gokey’s hope-filled concert. The rain didn’t dampen the crowd’s enthusiasm. Sawyer said, “the day dried out and even had the sun play peek-a-boo a couple times during Danny’s concert. It was very fulfilling to know God blessed us through the challenges that the weather brought.”
89Q secures corporate sponsorships and donor giving to provide this free event.