Core Community Presents Night Of Comedy, Music With Tim Lovelace

Core Community has been working hard to make a difference in people's lives. And now, they are offering an opportunity for others to make a difference, while also getting a night of uplifting fun. 

The local organization is bringing in Tim Lovelace as their Grant County Gives event.

"(Lovelace) is a Grammy nominated musician," said Core Community's Sheila Koop. "He is a very talented humorist. He tells a lot of stories about himself and says 'I don't need to write my material - I live my material every day.' A lot of his stories have to do with him or his family."

According to Koop, Lovelace has written an American tribute composed of several different songs.

"He put them together to play on the piano - he is an excellent pianist," Koop said. "When he comes here he will play the piano, he will play the guitar he will sing some silly songs. He writes serious songs for other people, but he keeps the funny ones for himself and he will share some of those songs with us. It will be an evening of laughing, and lifting one another up as well as supporting Core Community as we lift people up."

Koop and her husband, Ivan, have attended events Lovelace was in before.

"I have heard him numerous times," she said. "I've always thought he would be a great person to bring out to Ulysses."

This will be Lovelace's first time not only to Ulysses, but to Southwest Kansas.

"He is from Nashville, Tenn.," Koop said. "But originally I think he is from Alabama. He has lived in Nashville for quite some time and is well known out there. He is not so well known out here in Southwest Kansas. We just saw him at Silver Dollar City."

Why did Core Community choose Lovelace for this event?

"Everybody needs to laugh," Koop said.  "Those who attend will laugh. They will have a great time. Of course, we want to raise money for Core Community, but above that, we want to lift people's hearts and we want people to have a good time. I really believe the people in this community will enjoy hearing him."

The event, Laugh and Lift - A Night Of Comedy And Music, is set for 6 p.m., September 20 at Kepley Middle School auditorium. Tickets may be purchased online.

"There are flyers around town with our Facebook page for the link where people can get them online," Koop said. "Those wanting tickets can also get them at The Ulysses News, Grant County Bank and Dream First Bank."

Those interested in tickets can also call Koop at 620-353-3152 or some tickets will be available at the door the night of the event.

"We will probably have tickets we can sell at the door, but we encourage people to get them ahead of time so we will know how many are coming to this event," Koop said. "We will open the doors at 5 p.m., so if people need to come and get tickets they can come and get them at that time."

Tickets are $20 per individual, $50 for a family of three, or $60 for a family of four or more. Family - meaning those who reside in the same household and are immediate family members.

The event is Core Community's promotion in conjunction with Grant County Gives.

"We are trying to raise funds for Core Community Ulysses to assist us in continuing to help people get out of generational poverty," Koop said.

Core Community has grown since it first started in 2022.

"Our first graduating class, we graduated six," Koop said. "(Recently) we graduated 17. We are beginning our phase two with those individuals. Once an individual graduates from phase one, they go on to phase two with a Core friend who meets with them once a month."

A Core friend is there to help those participating in the program as they "work on their goals to get out of poverty", according to Koop.

Koop said the next phase one class will begin sometime in 2026.

The organization has had positive feedback about the program.

"One lady said she and her husband went through the class and were able to pay off four loans because of what they learned," Koop said. "They have been able to rethink their financial situation and it's helped them grow in that way. Some have said it has given them confidence in applying for jobs they never thought they would be capable of doing. Others are going back to school, because of the encouragement they have received."

They have even had high school students go through the program.

"One of the high school students who graduated from Core Community wrote out her story about how Core had impacted her life even at a young age. Now she can take what she has learned and make changes. We do like juniors or seniors if they are interested and come from a life that has been in poverty to come be a part of the class - they will learn a lot ."

Core Community members involved with the classes also have the opportunity to learn.

"The (students taking the course) also teach us," Koop said. "We give them different strategies and things to think about and they help us. They open our eyes to what they have gone through. We don't just want them to survive in this life. We want them to thrive and reach their fullest potential."

The course is around 22 weeks long, plus has the phase two classes continually going.

Koop said they need more people to become involved with the program and attending the upcoming concert will help.

"I'm if people come out and support it, it will mean a lot to our Core leaders," she said. "I would also like to see community members attend our graduations, even if they don't have anyone who is graduating."