Greenville musician Steve Azar started the Delta Soul event 12 years ago to raise money for a great cause. The event, which was held last weekend at the Greenville Golf and Country Club, benefits the Steve Azar St. Cecilia Foundation whose mission is to raise funds for charitable organizations, particularly in the Delta region that aid sick, disadvantaged and abused children. The foundation also supports the promotion and growth of art and music programs within educational and cultural institutions.
Over the years, however, the event has become even more than a great fundraiser.
“We are extremely blessed,” Azar said. “We have so many people from all over the country, from sponsors and celebrities and they have all become friends with our locals and volunteers. So many great friendships have been built and now people are not just coming for a great cause but they are coming to see old friends.
One of Azar’s great friends at Delta Soul is former United States Ski member Terry Ahola. Ahola, from Gladstone, Mich., said he looks forward to visiting Greenville each year.
“Coming down to Greenville makes me understand how Steve writes his music. I love the hospitality and everything about this event is first class,” Ahola said.
Former Ole Miss basketball standout Marshall Henderson was another celebrity at the event. Henderson has been coming to Delta Soul for nine years.
“I just moved back to Dallas, but Mississippi will always be a second home to me. This is a great even and everyone has fun,” Henderson said.
Some of the organizations who have previously benifitted from the foundation’s generosity include the Boys and Girls Club of Washington County, Camp Looking Glass, Delta Center Stage, Delta Children’s Museum, Delta 180, Delta Music Institute and Delta State University, Education Foundation of Greenville, Grammy Museum, Greenville Arts Council, Greenville Harmony Chorus, Greenville Renaissance Scholars, St. Joseph Catholic School’s art and music programs and Washington School’s art and music programs.
With arts diminishing from schools across the country, it is vital they be saved for those who stand to benefit from them the most.
“I love pairing the people that I grew up with and gotten to know in the Delta and Mississippi with people who are not from here,” Azar said. “We just get together and in those moments friendships are made. Our people are open to friendships greater than anyone. It’s a blessing.”
