In a time of need, Kevin Breneman’s friends, family and coworkers are stepping up. 

Breneman, a father, longtime local and 19-year employee at Daher Kodiak, is in the midst of a battle with cancer. To help alleviate the burden of treatment, supporters have organized the Breneman Benefit Concert — a county-bluegrass show set for 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Kootenai Community Church. 

“It’s been tough on the family,” said Paul Carelli, Breneman’s coworker and organizer of the concert. Carelli recently completed his own cancer treatment and leaned on Breneman during the difficult time.

“We’ve both been supporting each other,” Carelli said. 

In addition to organizing the event, Carelli will perform as a member of Rush Creek: a country-bluegrass band featuring premier musicians from across Idaho. Randy Pollard, a two-time grand champion fiddle who Carelli described as, “one of the most accomplished fiddle players in the world,” will fly from Boise for the concert. 

The fundraiser will also include coffee, dessert and a silent auction of goods donated by community members and local businesses. 

“There are a lot of folks who have contributed some amazing stuff,” Carelli said. “The whole community has pitched in on it quite well.” 

Those contributions include a handmade quilt and a log bench, plus large and practical offers like 12 cubic yards of gravel and a truckload of firewood (seven cords) valued at $1,200. One coworker at Daher Kodiak donated a collection of custom laser-cut Kodiak airplane models; local business 7B Copies helped enable the event by donating the service of printing tickets. 

Tickets for the concert are available for purchase at the door or in advance at Miller’s Country Store in Sandpoint. To donate to the Kevin Breneman Support Fund, visit bit.ly/3Z0YyCj.

    Funds raised from ticket sales and the silent auction will help alleviate the burden of Breneman's treatments and support the family. Donations to the Kevin Breneman Support Fund can be made by scanning the poster's QR code.