The O’Tis The Season Annual Benefit Concert which takes place at the Capitol Theatre in Macon, GA on December 9, with special guest CeeLo Green, is partnering with River Edge Behavioral Health on a Toy Drive.  The Otis Redding Foundation is asking ticket holders attending the Concert to bring toys for young people ages 5-18 which will be distributed by River Edge.    

Proceeds from tickets sales to O’Tis The Season are the cornerstone of the foundation’s end-of-the-year holiday fundraising efforts and are dedicated to furthering music and arts programs for students as well as supporting the construction of the new Otis Redding Center For The Arts.  

River Edge Behavioral Health services provide state-of-the-art treatment and supports for children, youth, families and adults who experience mental illness, addiction, co-occurring disorders or intellectual or developmental disabilities.  

“We are excited about working with the River Edge Behavioral Health team on this toy drive,” states Karla Redding-Andrews, Vice President & Executive Director.  “Our foundation offers music and arts classes to students ages 5-18.  CeeLo Green, and his sister Shedonna Alexander, are advocates for children with the GreenHouse Foundation, which is dedicated to making “green education” more accessible to students in underserved school districts.”  

“The River Edge Behavioral Health team is excited to partner with Otis Redding Foundation to bring a little extra joy to the families that we serve for the holiday season,” stated Cass Hatcher, Chief Executive Officer, River Edge Behavioral Health.  “The holidays can be difficult for some families, so we as a team work tirelessly to find ways to lift their spirits during these times.  Our Child and Adolescent Department has the pleasure of providing services to children, young adults and their families across ten counties within the Central Georgia area.  We are excited to distribute the toys donated through Otis Redding Foundation to the individuals we serve, and I think it is safe to say that they will be just as appreciative as we are.”  

The Otis Redding Center for the Arts  

The Otis Redding Center for the Arts is a multipurpose space open to students 5-18 who have a desire to explore their interest in all elements of music and the arts.  Planning is well underway with a proposed opening in 2024.   

The Center will be staffed with Macon's finest musicians and educators offering private lessons in areas such as piano, audio engineering, strings, and more.  Lessons will be complemented by the curricula of various year-round programs dedicated to musical literacy, musical instrumentation, mathematical components of music, etc. Students are encouraged to go beyond and tap into their best effort.  The Center believes in the vitality of music and the arts and continues to develop those avenues for youth.   

Planning for the Otis Redding Center for the Arts has been made possible through the guidance and investments of organizations such as the Knight Foundation, Peyton Anderson Foundation, Community Foundation of Central Ga., Cox Communications, and others who support the music and arts initiatives.  The Otis Redding Foundation also has several regional and national partners such as GA Council for the Arts, Gretsch, Concord Music Group, Warner Music Group, South Arts and more.  All these partnerships align with the mission and goals of the Foundation.