Munoz family benefit is Saturday in Buffalo

There will be a benefit concert for the Kris and Terry Munoz family of Howard Lake Saturday, March 8 Buffalo High School Performing Arts Center & commons area.The doors will open at 5:30 p.m.

Kris and Terry are the directors and founders of a Christian youth ministry called Side by Side Ministries in Golden Valley. Kris and their three children were involved in a head-on crash on Hwy 12 on Oct. 9 between Waverly and Howard Lake. Sam Munoz, 16, who was driving, passed away the following Sunday. Sam was a junior at Buffalo High School. All four were in Intensive Care at HCMC for many days. Amanda and Josh have recovered from their injuries, but Kris still has a long ways to go. She continues to rehabilitate her broken bones and re-built hip, and still struggles with vision issues. Eye surgery is in the near future. Past, present, and future medical bills and other needs will continue.

This benefit concert has something for everyone. Recently, former Vikings and NFL football players Joe Sensor and Barry Bennett have indicated they will attend. Concert-goers may have an opportunity to “play ball” with Joe and Barry, as carnival games have been added. Joe Sensor was a Pro-Bowl tight-end for the Vikings in the 1980s. Additionally, Joe was an All-American college basketball player at West Chester University. Barry Bennett was a Minnesota-born defensive lineman who played his college ball at Concordia College in Moorhead. He played most of his years with the New York Jets, but finished out his career with the Vikings. Barry and his family previously lived in Buffalo. KARE 11 TV news reporter Boyd Huppert will also be at the benefit, and may share master of ceremony duties.

Two Christian bands are booked for the evening. Lightswitch, a band of four brothers out of Wisconsin, will open at 6:30, for those young and young at heart. At 8:30, PFR’s Joel Hanson and Band will play, bringing back the late 80’s to 90’s style of contemporary Christian music. Joel was the frontman for PFR (Pray for Rain), that was a national act for many years. Joel now lives in the Minneapolis area, but is still involved in the Twin Cities music scene. Local musician Jeff Moser, currently a Crown College student, will also be playing. Look for a wonderful night of music.

Along with the music, there will be a silent auction and food. All proceeds will go to the Munoz Benefit Trust. Tickets are $10 for students, $20 for adults, and will be available at Buffalo Books downtown, at Buffalo Covenant Church, and at the door. For more information about donating an item for the auction, or for questions, please call 763-682-1470. For more information about the Munoz family, please visit www.caringbridge.org/visit/munoz