By Sydney Zelenak

It’s incredible what a community can do to unite for a special cause. On Wednesday, March 6, The Fillmore in Detroit played host to the 5th annual Jammin’ for Joseph event, showcasing local and award-winning music country artists. ACM Award nominee Jana Kramer was among them, giving the crowd a stunning performance.

Supporting Team Joseph to put an end to Duchenne muscular dystrophy, this country concert brought in hundreds for the cause. Other acts included emcees Doc, Rachael, Grunwald and Jason of 99.5 WYCD, Annabelle Road, Canaan Smith, Larry Callahan, and the Selected of God Choir. With great participation from the community, the “jamming” was indeed a blast.

Senior Andi Kalis, who was there as a volunteer, says “all of the performances were absolutely fabulous; everyone was dancing and the artist’s enthusiasm for the cause was contagious!”

Team Joseph’s fight to end Duchenne and make a difference in the lives of others has definitely made a huge impact in the Walled Lake community. Walled Lake Central teacher Jeff Penrod, whose son Joseph suffers with Duchenne MD, has made an immense impact on the hearts and minds of our students; now it is our turn to help him and his family battle the disease.

Penrod says it was this unity that made this event the “biggest and best ever”. “Through these events we continue to fund cutting edge research that will help our son Joseph and all the boys with Duchenne MD.”

Joseph, who was diagnosed with Muscular Duchenne at the age of five and is the inspiration for the movement, was there at the Fillmore and “was as happy and hilarious as ever!” (Kalis).

The next Team Joseph event will take place on the third weekend of May at Baypointe Golf Course. Be sure to attend and help defeat Duchenne!