JAN. 13, 2011 -- Kids and teens, parents and grandparents rocked out for a good cause at the first annual Marler Mayhem concert on Jan. 7 at The Pageant in University City.

Marler Mayhem was a benefit concert that celebrated the life of Cpl. Donald Marler, a local marine killed last June while serving in Afghanistan. Organized by Marler's family, the concert featured entertainment by High Times and Hangovers, Extremely Pointless, and Joe Dirt and the Dirty Boys. Organizers raised about $10,000 for the new Fisher House in South St. Louis County.

"The Fisher House is the perfect charity to honor Don's memory," said Jennifer Pupillo, Marler's sister. "Don would have done anything to help a family member or a friend, and the Fisher House exemplifies everything that Don valued."

The Fisher House provides free lodging for families of veterans receiving extensive treatment or care at the St. Louis VA Medical Center. Construction of the St. Louis Fisher House was funded by donations, and the facility opened in September at Jefferson Barracks. There are 52 Fisher Houses in operation.

"Over the next decade, this one Fisher House will offer 73,000 nights of free lodging to the families of our hospitalized veteran patients and military members," said James Donahoe, president of Fisher House in St. Louis.

While the Department of Veterans Affairs pays for the houses' operating expenses, there are certain items the government cannot provide, Donahoe said. These items include food, toiletries and clothing. "We expect that we will need to provide the St. Louis Fisher House with an estimated $50,000 to $100,000 per year."

"The event in honor of Don Marler will have a significant impact in operating the St. Louis Fisher House for now and in the future," Donahoe said.

For more information at the Fisher House in St. Louis, visit their website.

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