LAKE HAVASU CITY — As spring approaches Lake Havasu, longer sunsets will be in full bloom, and so will the vibrancy of Woodystock’s 14th annual blues concert. President of the nonprofit Katheryn Woodard has spent the last four decades of her life being of service to many charities. Her journey began in the mid 1980s when she worked in Oregon as a life skills coach at a facility for children with special needs.
It would be a role that Woodard loved so much, she remained employed there for over a decade. Moving to California in the late 1990s, the president’s challenges to find an immediate job lead to her dedicating spare time to various local charities like food banks and women’s crisis organizations.
In the early 2000’s, Woodard was now a grandparent of a grandchild with autism. Still holding a distinctive place in her heart for children with special needs, Woodard launched A Hand Up Foundation in 2013. This year’s celebration is a fundraising event for the nonprofit and will be packed with over eleven live performers such as Jay Hooks, Gemenii Dragon, Jason Trombley, Alaster Greene, and lots more. There will also be plenty of food and beverage vendors to choose from. Tickets are on sale now at $28.14 per person and can be purchased by visiting Woodystock Blues & Brews Festival 2026 | The Ticketing Co.
Anyone interested in how to make a donation to the nonprofit can do so by calling Woodard at 760-646-5330 or by email at katywoodard56@gmail.com. Woodystock’s 14th Annual Blues Concert is a two day show that will be taking place on Saturday March 21 at 3pm and Sunday March 22 beginning at 10am at Lake Havasu State Park at 699 London Bridge Rd. All ticket sales will go towards A Hand Up Foundation. The nonprofit’s mission is to increase social activities for children with autism.
The charity is continuously raising funds to create engaging group hobbies that encourage socializing like piano lessons, art, and other recreational events. Hand up is also striving to raise funds for future educational events. Woodard wants to pay it forward to parents and grandparents of the community who are raising children with autism. “I really just love giving back to this community of special needs. We want them to go out and experience social interests just like everyone else does,” Woodard said.
Phaedra Veronique
