WARREN — Nearly 600 people turned out on Saturday to enjoy a rip-roaring, knee-slapping, early evening concert at the Sloas-Griffin outdoor facility in Warren.

The event was to raise much-needed funds for NOAS (Northeast Ohio Foster Care & Adoption Services), which does not charge for any of its services. The event coincided with National Foster Parents Appreciation Month in May, as well as Mother’s Day.

Between the lineup of live country entertainment and more than 100 volunteers, NOAS Executive Director Cheryl Tarantino said the event would be a success for the organization.

“It will be the largest fundraiser of the year, raising nearly $50,000,” she said.

Up first on the program, from Roanoke Va., was Lincoln Baringer and Human Way. Alex Seier from Nashville was up next followed by the Chris Higbee Band, a local favorite.

This was not NOAS’ first rodeo, but it was the first time it invited bands. Its largest local fundraiser every year (for the past 30 years) has been the Mother’s Day flower sale “Big Tent” event at Hunter’s Square in the parking lot near Salvatore’s Restaurant.

Chairpersons Gene and Janet Weller were instrumental in making that event a success every year. They usually helped raise nearly $15,000 in a 10-day period, according to NOAS.

“This event today was a major undertaking and would not have been possible without the likes of Jim Whetstone (Toyota of Warren) and Kim Griffin, who donated their property for this event and are also great sponsors of our organization. It also takes dozens of volunteers to put on a show of this magnitude and we are very grateful to all of them. There was plenty of parking and plenty of food for sale from food service concessions too,” Tarantino said.

She added that the only big expense was stage and sound set-up for the bands, noting even the performers donated much or all of their time and talents.

In order for NOAS to provide a full range of services, free of charge, to all in need, it must raise nearly $250,000 per year because it is not funded by the state.

Grants are applied for throughout the year, but would never generate enough funds for the organization to survive. That is why fundraising, sponsorships and donations have become so important.

“We try to have three or four successful events a year. We have a spring event at the Lake Club (in Poland) every year, called Celebrating our Families and Children. Dominic Tocco always draws a nice crowd there. We also have a fall event in downtown Cleveland every year. It’s called ‘The Home Team’ and will take place this year at the Metropolitan at 9 p.m. Oct. 14. We have also had events at the Cleveland Browns stadium as well as the Cleveland Guardians’ Progressive Field,” Tarantino said.

And because November is National Adoption Month, NOAS will sponsor a “Girls Night Out” fundraiser in November. All of these events include donated gift basket raffles, corporate gift giveaways, 50-50 drawings and more. NOAS also will have golf outings, a Christmas Angel Tree project and corporate donors providing Christmas gifts for more than 200 needy families each year.

NOAS has been in this area for the past 45 years.

“We are proud to have delivered professional support for all of these years, to children and families, on their journey to happiness and beyond,” Tarantino said.