As president of the Management Society’s Charlotte, North Carolina, Chapter, Dennis Dalling works hard. He’s busy organizing activities, helping the community, and providing for his family. At first glance, Dennis Dalling seems like an ordinary man.
Seems like, but isn’t.
Dalling was the force behind a Peter Breinholt concert hosted by the chapter to combat hunger in an area hard hit by the recession—the unemployment rate was reaching 16 percent. The remarkable thing: Dalling was also unemployed.
Dalling, who was laid off while marketing the concert, sometimes felt like the show couldn’t go on.
“Those three months of unemployment were a very scary ordeal for me and my family,” Dalling recalls. “I came very close to canceling the show so I could focus on my job search.”
But Dalling pressed forward with his plan. His chapter joined forces with the local stakes of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to tackle the community’s challenges. The concert served as a kickoff for a massive food drive the stakes organized. Admission was free, but attendees were encouraged to bring cans of food or make a monetary donation.
More than 100,000 pounds of food were collected to restock the empty shelves of the local food bank. The concert alone brought in 550 attendees and $1,000, which Dalling presented, via supersized check, to the food bank.
Now employed, Dalling looks back on the concert experience modestly. He doesn’t take credit for its success or the food given to families in distress. While it was a demanding process, Dalling says it was incredibly rewarding.
“It’s the feedback that I got from the attendees, especially the stories of the folks who drove hours and hours to come to the show, that is like a shot in the arm,” Dalling explains.
Feedback like, “The world continues to be a better place because of efforts like this.”
Dalling believes there is a demand for these types of events. “As long as opportunities keep coming, I’ll keep hosting,” he says.
And that’s exactly what he’s doing. With a Christmas show now under his belt, Dalling is dreaming of “an ultimate concert,” a showcase of LDS musicians.
For Dalling, planning concerts and serving the community seem like ordinary tasks.
Seem like, but aren’t.
