Alan Bonk Jr., a parishioner at St. Boniface Parish, and his friend Caroline Barker have been striving to put on a Rock for Willow fundraiser at the Edwardsville Knights of Columbus Council 1143. Alan’s band, Love Me Leave Me — a pop/punk band that plays music from the 1990s to today — will be playing covers and original songs. Another band, The Limit, will give acoustic performances from all genres and will play original material. Both bands are made up of students from Edwardsville High School.
Alan, 18, and Caroline, 17, have been working quickly since early March so they can assist Willow’s family with mounting medical and transportation bills that have come about since Willow underwent a total pancreatectomy, with an auto islet cell transplant.
Willow had been suffering from chronic familial pancreatitis attacks for about three years and they worsened enough that she could not attend school. After several hospitalizations, she entered University of Minnesota Amplatz Children’s Hospital and on March 10 had her pancreas, spleen, gallbladder and a portion of her small intestine removed.
The islet cells from her own pancreas were obtained to be transferred to her liver so that Willow will hopefully be able to avoid becoming diabetic. The procedures are extremely painful and she will have to spend quite a while in the hospital while she recovers.
Although both teens ran cross country with Willow during her healthier days, Caroline thinks of Willow as her best friend — and she asked Alan for his help in having a free concert. One of the youngest members of Council 1143, Alan often sets up tables and chairs for K.C. events and volunteers in other ways. It was his idea to request using the K.C. hall for the show.
“Alan went to the Knights with his idea and they agreed to donate the hall and sponsor the event,” said Alan’s mother, Laurie Bonk.
Alan and Caroline visited local businesses and Annie’s Frozen Custard offered to provide custard to be sold at the concert. Alan also contacted members of The Limit, and they also agreed to play without a fee. Raffle items were donated by Chava’s Mexican Restaurant and Scott Credit Union.
“Alan has a sound system, so he could provide sound for free,” said Laurie Bonk. “The Edwardsville Knights even let Alan and Caroline have a table at their fish fry to advertise the event with fliers and to sell tickets.”
Laurie Bonk said she is proud of what her son and his friends are doing to help Willow, but she isn’t surprised. “Alan’s band has done about half of their shows for charitable causes,” she said, adding that Alan’s uncle and godfather, diocesan seminarian Paul Bonk, is also supportive.
Love Me Leave Me has won the Splash City Battle of the Bands in Collinsville, PBC Battle of the Bands in Bethalto, and took second place (out of 140 bands) in the 2013 Illinois Teen Battle of the Bands at the State Fair in Springfield. Last year they also won the 105.7 FM Battle for Pointfest and played at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre in St. Louis.
“This all came together pretty quickly but it has worked out well,” said Alan. “We all go to Edwardsville High School and we know what Willow is going through is painful. I think this is a good way to help her and her family and the community has really come together. They’ve been extremely supportive.”
Tickets for the event, which starts at 7 p.m., are $5 in advance or $7 at the door. Food and drinks, as well as Annie’s Frozen Custard, will be available for purchase. All ages are welcome and children under 10 are admitted for free. Door prizes will be awarded and raffle items will be available in addition to a 50/50 drawing. The Edwardsville K.C. Hall is located at 7132 Marine Road.
For more information, email or join the Facebook event Rock for Willow.