 At a benefit concert in 2009 to raise funds to help rebuild children's playgrounds destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, Penniman asked guest of honor Fats Domino to pray with him and others.His assistants handed out inspirational booklets at the concert, which was a common practice at Penniman's shows.Penniman told a Howard Theatre, Washington, D.C., audience in June 2012, "I know this is not Church, but get close to the Lord.