By JAMES BELL
Hays Post
As area residents continue to deal with the fallout of the Dec. 15 Four County Wildfire, an unlikely source of relief is planned for this weekend — the Funny 4 Fun(ds) comedy show fundraiser.
Hays Has Humor, hosted by Jeff Leiker, will feature area comedians at the Hays Community Theatre, 121 E. Eighth, at 8 p.m. Saturday.
“After the tragic events that happened in our area, I was sitting there and just kind of thinking to myself, 'God, there's got to be something that I can do,' ” Leiker said. “I don't feel right, just going into my job over at Mix 103 and just be like, 'Hey, it's a beautiful day here on Mix 103,' kind of thing. It just didn't feel right.”
That uncomfortable feeling turned into action as he looked for a way to help, inspired by actions he sees every day.
“We do a lot of good things here at Eagle, where we promote different fundraising events and different charities and community events and everything,” Leiker said. “But I wanted to get something together that could directly benefit the people affected.”
Working with his own skills and pulling from his contacts from Hays Has Humor, he created the upcoming show — with help from the Heartland Community Foundation.
“All proceeds — 100 percent of the proceeds — are going to the Heartland Community Foundation Disaster Relief Fund, funds that anyone affected by the wildfires or the windstorms can pull from to help financially get back on their feet.”
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Leiker plans to host the event, which will feature an all-Kansan lineup, including two from the Hays area — Tony Angular and Buzz — along with Ty Jones from Junction City.
He is hopeful a potential fourth comedian will also be available to perform.
Tickets are $5 and freewill donations will also be accepted.
“Just got to show up at the door,” Leiker said. “Give them five bucks and you're in that's really all there is to it. And everything is no-frills. If we're suddenly at capacity, I guess we'll deal with that when we get to it, but that would be a wonderful problem to have.”
And while he said he can’t promise the show will be funny, he can guarantee it is for a good cause.
“It's been really enriching,” Leiker said. “And obviously the beginning of the year is pretty hectic for a lot of people weather-wise and coming back from the holidays and everything. It's good to just get out and enjoy and have a laugh. ... But if we don't make you laugh, I'm sorry, we can't give you a refund.”
Disclosure: Jeff Leiker is an employee of Eagle Radio of Hays, which owns and operates Hays Post.