Emily Progin, Content Manager
[email protected] / 800.642.8399
Release: Immediate
OCT 15 CONCERT TO RAISE FUNDS AFTER MOM’S CRITICAL INJURY
Jennifer Holliday, Daniel Reichard Unite for One Night at Memorial Hall
CINCINNATI—On Wednesday, October 15, Tony and Grammy award-winning Broadway legend Jennifer Holliday, the original Effie White in Dreamgirls, and Broadway star Daniel Reichard, who originated the role of Bob Gaudio in the Tony award-winning Jersey Boys, unite for a one-night-only benefit concert at Memorial Hall in Cincinnati.
Through the nonprofit Help Hope Live, funds raised through the performance and through online donations will give hope to 42-year-old mom and teacher Lauren Shmalo Berg, who has been living with paralysis since a life-altering October 2020 spinal cord injury.
One Night Only Benefit Concert Details
When: Wednesday, October 15, 2025 starting at 7 p.m.
Where: Memorial Hall, 1225 Elm Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
What: One-night-only performance concert with unforgettable performances from:
- Jennifer Holliday, Tony- and Grammy award-winning performer and original Effie White in Dreamgirls
- Daniel Reichard, Broadway star and original Bob Gaudio in Jersey Boys
Cause: Funds raised will benefit the nonprofit Help Hope Live in honor of Lauren Shmalo Berg to assist with paralysis-related expenses and medical costs.
Cost: $79 to $204 depending on seating. Sponsor starting at just $1,000.
Sponsor: https://events.helphopelive.org/event/6726/signup/
Can’t Make It? Donate: https://helphopelive.org/campaign/18219/
Lauren’s Story
Video recap with photos of her recovery journey: https://vimeo.com/1109720707?fl=pl&fe=ti
In October 2020, Lauren experienced a spinal cord injury that left her with paralysis from the neck down. The injury upended life for Lauren, husband Justin, and her 2 young children.
Prior to her injury, Lauren’s life was full of service, music, and motion. Working as a preschool teacher, Lauren participated in musical theater, figure skating, and pilates instruction.
Son Isaac was just 3 months old when Lauren sustained her life-changing injury, and daughter Lia was 2-and-a-half years old. Her injury required prolonged emergency medical care followed by months of intensive rehabilitation.
Faced with a new reality overnight, “Lauren faced her recovery the same was she’s faced everything else in her life: with a big smile, fierce determination, and unwavering optimism.”
In October 2023, Lauren was again rushed to the hospital. The life-threatening series of events that followed caused all her recovery efforts to come to a halt. Since then, Lauren has endured endless hospital stays and major surgeries, requiring around-the-clock nursing care.
A fundraising campaign with the trusted national nonprofit Help Hope Live enabled Justin and Lauren’s loved ones to help cover critical out-of-pocket expenses during a time of overwhelming need.
Donations are a key part of Lauren’s future. They can be made at any time at: https://helphopelive.org/campaign/18219/
On October 15, all Cincinnatians are welcome to come together to celebrate hope as 2 Broadway legends unite for a one-of-a-kind benefit concert.
Donations to Help Hope Live are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law, and all funds raised will be administered by the nonprofit to cover verified medical and related expenses. Help Hope Live verifies medical and financial need for every patient.
Help Hope Live is a national nonprofit that specializes in engaging communities in secure, tax-deductible fundraising campaigns for people who need a transplant or are affected by a catastrophic injury or illness. Since 1983, campaigns organized by Help Hope Live have raised over $188 million to pay patient expenses. ###
