Special Delivery

“Special Delivery” is in their 17th year of playing gospel music for audiences across the Midwest. In addition to the four singing members–Chuck, Naomi, Gabrielle, and Catherine–the group includes piano player, Alice Damschen and sound expert, Ron Anfinson. “Special Delivery” has grown in notoriety in their sixteen years, and the group made their first trip to Nashville in February of 2002 to record their latest CD, Signed, Sealed, Delivered. They’ve just recorded a single—Down to the River.

The group experienced a change in membership in 2003, when long-time member Brenda Halverson left the group. The group has continued with new member, Naomi, in its mission to bring music and testimony to those who need to hear of God’s love and saving grace.

In addition to spreading the Gospel, the group places high priority on spending time with family and friends. “Special Delivery” most often plays for special events and picnics, such as anniversaries, fairs, fundraisers, and festivals, throughout the year. The members also have annual engagements, such as the Midwest Quartet Convention in Des Moines, IA, the Floyd Gospel Sing in Floyd, IA, and the Gospel Music Extravaganza in the Cando City Park.

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Chuck Damschen lives with wife, Alice, and daughter, Gabrielle, on their farm in Hampden, North Dakota. The Damschen family also includes daughter, Naomi, son, Charlie, daughter-in-law, Erika, and a grandchild expected in June. Chuck has been farming in Hampden for 35 years, and his crops include wheat, durum, sunflowers, and soybeans. Chuck also stays busy as a District 10 Representative to the ND House of Representatives. Chuck’s musical abilities are a hobby and talent, and he enjoys a wide range of musical styles, including gospel, country, bluegrass, and contemporary.

Naomi Damschen is currently living in Oberon, North Dakota. She works part-time at the Oberon Public School while doing youth work on the Spirit Lake Reservation as an employee of AIM. She holds a degree in cross-cultural ministries from Northwestern College in St. Paul, MN. In conjunction with her degree, she is an avid traveler, having been on numerous mission trips. Her mission work has included visits to Kenya, India, Thailand, Peru, and other countries. Naomi is known for her piano playing and singing, and she enjoys the musical style of artists Sara Groves, Shane Barnard, and Watermark.

Gabrielle Damschen is a sophomore at Adams-Edmore High School in Edmore, ND. She plays volleyball and is involved in Drama, Speech, Yearbook, FCCLA, SADD, band, and choir. Music is a big part of Gabrielle’s life; she plays piano, guitar, flute, violin, cello, pennywhistle, and harmonica. She’s recently begun filling in for Naomi, who is often unable to attend concerts. Gabrielle’s favorite activities include reading, acting, playing her Grandpa’s violin, and family gatherings. She loves her big, smelly, black lab, named Wilma. She also enjoys listening to tobyMac, Hawk Nelson, and Tenth Avenue North.

Catherine Anfinson lives with husband, Ron in Cando, North Dakota. The Anfinson family also includes Graeme, who lives in Minneapolis, Aaron and his wife, Nadia, who live and work in Vietnam, and Carl, who is a junior at NDSU. Catherine stays actively involved in her community as a banker at Country Bank USA, where she has worked for over 30 years. She enjoys spending spare time traveling to her native country, Canada, to visit her six brothers and sisters and their families. She uses her spare time to work on counted cross-stitch and enjoys the music of Dallas Holm, Stephen Curtis Chapman, and Steve Bell.

Alice Damschen is a nurse and works part-time in home health care. In addition, she runs a farmhouse and spends time at home with daughter Gabrielle. An avid volunteer, Alice plays piano and organ at her home church and gives her time and talents to many people and groups in the Hampden area. Alice’s interests include spending time with family, reading, gardening, and experiencing the culture of the places she visits.

Ron Anfinson works as a State JOBS Case Manager in cooperation with county Social Services in the Devils Lake area. He has a gift of finding conversation with everyone he meets and has many talents and hobbies. Ron is a registered Honda Technician and certified diver. He enjoys running sound for “Special Delivery” and community events.