Each year as Christmas approaches and the stores are crammed with last minute holiday shoppers people tend to take the presents they get on Christmas morning for granted. The reality of the situation is that there are some people with special needs that won’t be able to buy presents for their friends and families, but that is all going to change if Joe Castrejon has his way.

Castrejon is the producer of An Independent Living and Giving a fundraising program to be held at Pinch Penny Pub, 700. E. Grand, this Wednesday night with proceeds going to the Jackson Community Workshop.

The Jackson Community Workshop deals with mentally disabled clients who live in special care homes and some of them on their own. And come Christmas time they don’t have any money, Castrejon said. The money we raise at this function will be given to them so they will have the chance to go out and by presents, which is something they usually don’t get to do around the holidays.

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Castrejon said he interned at the Jackson Community Workshop while he was attending college, and said this was his way of giving something back.

Castrejon said Pinch Penny will showcase over 20 bands Wednesday night, beginning at 8 p.m., with both rock and acoustic music.

There will be two bands going at all times, Castrejon said. There will be one band playing in the bar area, and the other will be set up in the game room they just opened. All the equipment will be provided for them so that each band doesn’t have to spend time setting up, and they will each play for about 20 minutes.

There will also be prizes given away during the night to the customers from our sponsors around the community, Castrejon said.

Castrejon said some of the bands performing are St. Stephen’s Blues, Wax Dolls and The Visit, just to name a few.

Beth Cuddeback, the Residential Service Coordinator for the Jackson Community Workshop, said everyone is looking forward to the program.

This is a very special time for them, Cuddeback said. This money will be very helpful in providing resources and presents they usually don’t get to give.

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Castrejon said the entire community got behind this event and turned it into something special.

Even though I had an idea, it took the work of a lot of people to get this going, Castrejon said. Our sponsors are from all over the area, so this really is a community effort. I would just like to have this opportunity to thank everyone involved for all their hard work.

And Independent Living and Giving is scheduled for 8 p.m. Wednesday at Pinch Penny Pub, 700 E. Grand. Suggested donation is $2, with proceeds going to the Jackson Community Workshop. For more information on showtimes contact Pinch Penny at 529-3348, or the Jackson Community Workshop at 687-2378.