Teen organizes concert to raise money for grief center following break-in
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A local nonprofit, that helps New Mexicans struggling with grief, was preparing to expand and reopen at a new location in September, until someone broke in and stole several thousands of dollars’ worth of supplies and equipment.
Now The Grief Center is in the process of picking up the pieces, but not without help.
“I’ve never done anything like this before, and I definitely haven’t done this alone,” said 16-year-old Breton Sego, a Rio Rancho High School junior who is organizing a charity concert for the nonprofit.
He told KOB 4 he chose to help The Grief Center long before the break-in happened, after his parents encouraged him to do something good for the community.
“So five years ago, I lost my six year old cousin to brain cancer, and I was really close to her, and so and I saw how much that affected her family,” Sego said. “So when I was looking for local charities to help out, and I saw what they were doing there, I was impressed. They’re amazing, they’re selfless, and they really, they’re just an amazing facility.”
The Grief Center has been raising money for a large expansion, with plans to double its services at its new location on Carlisle. On top of that, the organization is struggling to bounce back from the burglary over the Fourth of July weekend.
“I was like, really? A nonprofit?” Sego said. “That’s really, really low. I don’t think it was a coincidence that I happened to earn money for this specific place.”
Sego’s upcoming musical dinner performance, called “Harmonies of Hope,” starts at 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 6, at Sandia Presbyterian Church. The event will feature 16 musical numbers.
“As far as singers go, I have 12, plus the special performers—the guest performers called Sandia Sound Barbershop quartet,” Sego said. “All the performers are accomplished, and they’re all under the age of 21, besides the barbershop quartet. We’ve all had lots of musical experience.”
Tickets for the charity concert and dinner are $50 per person. All of the proceeds will go straight to The Grief Center.
“I just need people to come to the event,” Sego said. “I’ve gotten my helpers, I just need people to come to the event, and if they can’t come to the event and donate, then just donate as much as you can donate, and just spread the word,” Sego said.
M’tucci’s Bar Roma in Nob Hill is also pitching in to help The Grief Center. For those who dine-in or place an order for carryout on Saturday, July 30, the restaurant will donate a portion of the proceeds to the nonprofit.
