Susie McEntire

WARSAW — Susie McEntire will be returning to Warsaw to perform a country-themed Christmas concert Sunday, Dec. 16.

The free event will take place at Lakeview Middle School, 848 E. Smith St., Warsaw. Doors will open at 2 p.m., with the concert beginning at 4 p.m. Early arrival is encouraged as seating is limited. 

There is no admission fee to attend the concert; however, guests are asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy to be donated to the local U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program.

McEntire is the younger sister of actress and country music icon Reba. In 1993, Susie McEntire released her debut solo record. She was inducted into the Christian Music Hall of Fame on Nov. 5, 2011. She has also received awards and nominations from Nashville Network, Gospel Music Association and Country Music Association.

“The Warsaw Indiana Toys for Tots concert has always been a highlight of my year. It’s for a wonderful cause and brings people together to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year,” said McEntire. “We’ve added extra entertainment this year and we know that the audience will enjoy the evening.”

This year, in addition to the Christmas Concert, State Farm Agent Beth Harrison and the Leesburg United Methodist Church have offered to help organize and provide a pre-concert party for kids. This will include a light lunch, a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus and perhaps an additional special guest or two. The pre-party will be held in the commons area of Lakeview Middle School starting at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16. Gift bags will be given to the first 100 children, thanks to generous donors in the community.

“As the organizer of the show, I am beyond excited and proud to see how generous our community is, not only to sponsor this event, but to keep it coming back year after year,” said local resident Mike Loher.

“I would also like to point out that when Susie McEntire and her husband, Mark Eaton, are in town, they do much more than a 90 minute concert,” Loher continued. “Two years ago they visited The Beaman Home and shared their stories with folks there. Some of those folks came to the concert and also church to hear Mark and Susie again. Last year one of those individuals came to the concert and shared with us their story about a fresh start with a new family, job and home.”

“We hope that folks and sponsors know that when Mark and Susie come to Warsaw, they become a part of Warsaw and genuinely care about the folks they come in contact with,” said Loher.

Eaton founded the Eaton Leadership Foundation in Oklahoma. Each spring he hosts ‘The Conversation,’ which is a retreat designed specifically for men who want to learn and understand their own story. This year a retreat is being hosted in Warsaw on Friday evening, Dec. 14, and all day Saturday, Dec. 15. 

For more information, go to EatonLeadership.org.

There will be a special performance at the concert by Debra Collier’s School of Dance. This marks the fifth year McEntire has performed a Christmas concert in Warsaw.