Boys and Girls Club Diamond Affair is Thursday night

An encore presentation of the musician with the famous name and a voice that reminds listeners of his renowned Georgia-born father, Otis Redding, will rock Cairo this week in support of Jackie Robinson Boys and Girls Club of Cairo and Grady County.
Otis Redding III is returning a second year to Cairo for the 4th Annual Diamond Affair Thursday night. In addition, WALB-TV’s Karla Heath-Sands, who emceed last year’s event, will perform with her band Bob Cummings and The Reflections. A special guest performance by known jazz musician Baatin is also planned.
“I am truly excited about this year’s Diamond Affair. Last year’s event was a huge success with Otis Redding III, putting on a fantastic concert, and this year we are fortunate that he can return with additional guest performances and there will also be a dinner included. Many people left last year’s event wanting to hear more, so this is their opportunity,” says Charlie Ferenchick, board of directors chairman of the Jackie Robinson Boys and Girls Club.
Club volunteer Felicia Hunter says Redding is looking forward to returning here to perform. “Otis has a special place in his heart for our local club and club members, and we certainly appreciate and love him for it,” Hunter says.
The event, presented by Koyo Bearings, will take place at the Grady Cultural Center beginning at 7 p.m. Thursday. Tickets are available for purchase at Capital City Bank and the Cairo-Grady County Chamber of Commerce, for $75 to the dinner, which will include dancing and live entertainment. Tickets to a VIP reception are $50 each. The reception will be held 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at The Foundry.
“We certainly want to thank Koyo Bearing, our presenting sponsor, gold-silver-bronze sponsors, those who contributed in donations and purchase of tickets to support such a worthwhile occasion,” says Hunter.
The Diamond Affair is the main fundraiser for the local Boys and Girls Club, which has been operating since 2009 and is a unit of the Marguerite Neel Williams Boys and Girls Clubs of Southwest Georgia, open since 1999.
Ferenchick says participation in the Cairo club has increased each year, with a big jump in the last 12 months.
“We have had an approximate 65 percent increase in the number of children attending the club on a daily basis compared to last year, and, unfortunately, with this growth the costs of operating the club have also increased. It is clear that the need and demand for the Jackie Robinson Boys and Girls Club is growing. However, I also believe that support and enthusiasm for the club is also growing as word continues to get out how the club is able to positively impact the lives of so many young people on a daily basis.”
For more information about the Diamond Affair or the Jackie Robinson Boys and Girls Club of Cairo and Grady County, contact the club at 229-228-5155 or visit mnw-bgc.org.