The benefit concert will help Justin and Erica Jones cover their son Jacob’s medical expenses. Four-year-old Jacob was diagnosed with Tay-Sachs, a rare disease affecting the brain, when he was only 14 months old.

A concert and family fun day will be held at Peach Park to benefit 4-year-old Jacob Jones of Jemison, who is fighting a rare disease.

On July 18, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., the community is welcome to attend the event, which has 10 performers in its line-up, including American Idol contestant CJ Harris from Jasper.

Proceeds from the benefit will help Jacob’s parents, Justin and Erica Jones, cover their son’s medical expenses.

Jacob was diagnosed with Tay-Sachs, a rare genetic disorder, in 2011, when he was only 14 months old.

Because the family’s insurance recently stopped covering Jacob’s main medication, which slows the digression of the disease, the family relies on fundraisers and donations to cover medical costs.

Long-time family friend Bobbi Collier came up with the idea to host a concert in order to raise the needed funds.

Collier said she wanted to provide the Jones family and the community with a family-friendly event, so that everyone can have fun and raise money at the same time.

In addition to music, there will be food, drinks, raffles, vendors, inflatables, a dunking booth, face painting, a photo booth, snow cones and cotton candy.

Admission is $5, with children ages 12 and under getting in free.

The raffle prizes include two Dierks Bentley concert tickets, a football autographed by University of Alabama football coach Nick Saban, a football autographed by former Auburn University football coach Gene Chizik, autographed merchandise by country artist Chris Young, a Jamberry gift basket, a 31 gift bag, a firework variety pack, a photo session and a Pinedale Gardens gift basket.

The activities will be ongoing throughout the day, and the music kicks off at 11 a.m., with the following schedule: Stephanie Ann, 11 a.m.; Zac Morris, 11:30 a.m.; Dallas Perry, 12:15 p.m.; Amber Jean, 12:45 p.m.; Common Rarity (band), 1:30 p.m.; Chris Ewing, 2:15 p.m.; Battles, 3 p.m.; Jonna Lee featuring Nick Edwards, 4 p.m.; Sawyer Lee, 5 p.m.; CJ Harris, 6 p.m.

Collier said her love of music sparked the idea to have a concert, and the community has been more than helpful in the endeavor.

“Almost all of the performances are completely voluntary, and we’ve had a lot of sponsors,” Collier said. “We have a lot of singers and bands that are traveling from all over the state to play here.”

Coolers are prohibited at the event, but attendees are welcome to bring blankets and chairs.

According to Collier, the money raised will not only help cover medication expenses but will also assist with travel expenses, as the Jones family travels to Minnesota every four to six months for treatment.

Tay-Sachs is a rare disease that causes a fatty substance to build up in the brain tissue and reach toxic levels, thus affecting nerve cells.

Although no cure has been found yet, medication can help slow a patient’s digression.

Donations can be made online at Jacob’s ‘Go Fund Me’ page: www.gofundme.com/wj5mc4.

All donation amounts are accepted and appreciated.

“This family never asks for help,” Collier said. “Because of the loss of insurance, we really appreciate any donations and support for Jacob.”

For more information about the event, contact Collier at 205-432-8752, or visit the event Facebook page, www.facebook.com/Jacobjonesbenefit.

For more information on supporting Jacob Jones, visit his Facebook prayer page by searching “Prayers for Jacob Alan Lee Jones.”