A gospel concert will be held at Westminster Reformed Presbyterian Church on May 23 to raise funds for this year’s Chuckatuck Founders Day.

The concert, from 6 to 9 p.m. is the brainchild of Ray Bennett, lead singer for one of the gospel groups, The Master’s Hand Quartet, which will perform alongside The Kingsmen of Tidewater, The Kelleys and The Dunns.

Bennett, a gospel singer for more than 20 years, was raised in Chuckatuck. He said he has been involved in gospel concert fundraisers for various organizations and causes.

“I was trying to bring the community together and do this not only to raise funds to offset the cost of the event,” but also to generate awareness of Chuckatuck Founders Day, according to Bennett, who was MC at last year’s annual event.

There won’t be an entrance fee, but love offerings will be received during the concert, while funds will also be raised with a bake sale and refreshments.

Though he lives off Route 58 now, Bennett said he still considers Chuckatuck home. He said the fundraising idea was enthusiastically supported when he suggested it to the Founders Day organizing committee.

Kitty Martin of Chuckatuck’s Kitty’s Beauty Salon, a co-chair, said all proceeds from the gospel concert will be put toward Founders Day, which is set for Oct. 24.

“All the acts that are performing, they are donating to our cause,” Martin said.

“We thought doing a fundraiser might bring more people in. It won’t just bring in Chuckatuck and the surrounding community, it will bring in other people as well. Hopefully the word will get out.”

After the four groups perform individually, they’ll come together at the end of the evening for a combined performance, Bennett said.

“We just want people to come, sit back and relax, and enjoy the concert,” he said.

“There will be a lot of traditional church songs. There will be a lot of time we will be incorporating the audience in a sing-along with us.”

Information about Founders Day will be available, Bennett said, while people will also tell about the annual celebration from the stage.

“This is the first time that a concert has been put together as a fundraiser for Founders Day,” he said.