At center, Songs4Soldiers founder Dustin Row of Columbia receives the Illinois Veterans’ Patriotic Volunteer and BUSINESSAppreciation Award from Governor Bruce Rauner (left) and Erica Jeffries of the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs at the Illinois State Fair on Sunday. (submitted photo)

A Columbia man and his wildly successful nonprofit group were recognized at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield on Sunday for going above and beyond for local veterans in need.

Following three years of massively attended benefit concerts and other fundraisers, Songs4Soldiers founder Dustin Row of Columbia was awarded the Illinois Veterans’ Patriotic Volunteer and Business Appreciation Award for his work with combat veterans.

Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner presented the award to Row and Songs4Soldiers during a special Sunday ceremony at the state fair.

This honor is presented to any business, organization or nonprofit each year whose efforts toward the veteran community are deemed as extraordinary.

Row started Songs4Soldiers in May 2013 to support local veterans in need. He is a veteran of the Iraq War and member of the 724th Transportation Unit out of Bartonville.

Songs4Soldiers organizes a benefit concert each year along with other fundraisers, and has successfully disbursed more than $150,000 to over 100 local veterans in need of assistance.

On hand during the presentation of the Illinois Veterans’ Patriotic Volunteer and Business Appreciation Award to Songs4Soldiers at the Illinois State Fair include, front row, from left, Ayden Wittenbrink, Teresa Hencke, Charlie Row, Dustin Row, Eva Row and Riley Amos; back row: Marion Chartrand, Dan Row, Ralph and Karen Buettner, Debbie Row and Katie Amos. (submitted photo)

The mission of Songs4Soldiers is to enrich the lives of combat veterans and their families who have limited resources, and to honor their service through effective assistance in everyday situations.

Row started Songs4Soldiers in May 2013 to support local veterans in need. He is a veteran of the Iraq War and member of the 724th Transportation Unit out of Bartonville, Ill.

Songs4Soldiers organizes a benefit concert each year along with other fundraisers, and has successfully disbursed more than $150,000 to over 100 local veterans in need of assistance.

The mission of Songs4Soldiers is to enrich the lives of combat veterans and their families who have limited resources, and to honor their service through effective assistance in everyday situations.

Row said the organization is committed to making sure donations go directly to the needs of veterans, and Songs4Soldiers works hard to create transparency and share individual donation stories with those who contribute to the cause.

“This award is such a huge honor,” Row said. “We’ve been working so hard the last three years to help out our veterans, and to be recognized by The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs reaffirms that we’re truly making a difference.”

The next Songs4Soldiers concert is planned for 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at Bolm-Schuhkraft Park in Columbia.

Last year’s concert raised more than $62,000.

This year’s lineup of bands includes concert mainstays Petty Cash Junction, Where’s Charlie? and SUPERJAM, along with new additions Joe Dirt and The Dirty Boys and the Dave Glover Band. Kicking off this year’s show will be ClusterPluck.

Illini Pediatrics is sponsoring a kid zone featuring bounce houses, face painting, interactive art projects and balloons.

For more information on sponsoring this year’s concert or purchasing tickets, call 618-779-8511 or email dustin@songs4soldiersstl.org.