Awareness Event Series 2009: A Story of Hope, Perseverance and the Achievement of Lofty Goals
September 25th 2009 14:33
In a complex world that doesn’t offer any easy answers as to why suffering exists in modern society; we are left with the simple choice of burying our heads in the sand and ignoring these complex issues or standing up in the face of adversity in the fight to make a difference.
Awareness Event Series 2009 was created when great minds came together in an effort to do their part to help our fellow man, woman and child.
Help that would directly aid the men and women of the Thurman Brisben Center who selflessly dedicate their lives to putting food in the bellies of men, women and children who have not eaten for a period of time.
Through this support a bed to sleep on is also provided as a blanket of comfort while they did everything within their power to get back on their feet again.
Help that would directly pump money into the fight against the faceless killer known as Breast Cancer which has taken way the lives of mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, cousins, friends and co-workers across the globe.
With these visions of suffering and loss the mission was simple…
The mission to “inject knowledge and awareness” into the community became a rallying cry as five events were planned in the Fredericksburg Region with the help of local establishments that went above and beyond the call of duty to make our fundraising efforts a reality.
From the early planning stages through the last song by With Haste on the stage of Buffalo Wild Wings in Fredericksburg, VA community support for this series of events was always a powerful commodity.
At this point I would like to thank Love of Life Photography in Fredericksburg VA for working with us through donation of their time and facilities in helping us conceptualize the marketing campaign that created the theme for our posters and internet advertisements.
When we think of marketing we must also recognize the graphic designer who donated mind, body and soul for the creation of the artwork on every piece of literature that appeared in print and online for Awareness Event Series 2009.
Head to Head design are the pioneers of their industry when it comes to graphic design and event conceptualization.
Featured on these posters and artwork was international model Mary Linthicum who also donated the use of her image which helped raise visibility and awareness for our causes that raised needed money through fundraising activities.
When it came time to bring all of these elements together through careful print advertisements in the establishments that hosted our events, Minute Man Press in Spotsylvania, VA answered the call by donating the first set of posters and continued to work with us through all the reprints, corrections and additions.
While the marketing was a huge aspect of Awareness Event Series 2009 it’s also important to recognize the elements that came into play to make these events a reality.
These elements began with the establishments themselves for allowing us to have these events at their facilities.
The first shots of this event series was fired at the English Pub aptly named The Firkin & Bulldog in Stafford, VA which started the chain of events that visited Applebee’s Plank Road and Buffalo Wild Wings in Fredericksburg, VA along with Mainstreet Grill and Bar in Stafford, VA.
Each establishment donated money directly to our final tally of total funds raised and helped to boost Team Bras for a Cause above and beyond the goals needed to participate in the October Susan G. Komen Walk for the Cure.
At the event themselves a strong portion of the money raised was cultivated through a series of raffles.
$656.50 was raised from these raffles and none of this could have been a possibility without the philanthropic donations of gift certificates or percentage of sales at the event from Potomac Point Winery, Fredericksburg Distribution Company, The Firkin & Bulldog, Buffalo Wild Wings Fredericksburg, Famous Dave’s, Red Robin, Domino’s Pizza, Papajohns Pizza, The Melting Pot, Lo’K Custom Fashion INC, To Dye for Hair Salon, Mary Kay representative Kathleen Hoffman, Carlos O’ Kelly’s, J.F. Fick Distribution and Hooters of Massaponax.
Community support for this event is at the core of any success achieved and helped boost the final fundraising total above and beyond expectations.
Before we can pay tribute to the bands that helped to make this event a success we must add a note of thanks to Guitar Center Fredericksburg for donating $17,568.93 worth of equipment for use at the Reggae Benefit Show and Save The Ta Ta’s Awareness Rock Show II.
The bands that donated their time and talent to this series of events were D.U.I., Proof By Assertion, Three Finger Charlie, Vollmer, Yesterday’s Saints, Dub City Renegades & With Haste.
Words can not express the gratitude we have for these groups that selflessly donated their time and talents to help causes that benefited from their generosity.
What began as a dream culminated into a ground breaking event that truly brought the community together in a fundraising spirit…
When we examine the elements of what happened in this five night series we have to honor the facts.
The facts that didn’t revolve around the community coming out to simply enjoy an A list set of entertainment or coming out to get something back in return.
What happened through this event series is the opening of hearts and minds towards putting our heads together to help causes that have a direct impact on our fellow man, woman and child.
This outpouring from the business community which was met by the strong support from the local citizens is what made this event series unique and special.
$3,435.67 with over 1,000 food and clothing items collected was the final fundraising total from this events series.
Money that will be used to help men, women and families get back on their feet again in tough times while also putting muscle into the fight against Breast Cancer.
In an age where charitable giving and heart warming stories of goals and triumph aren’t at the front line of conversation it should warm all of our hearts to hear announcements like these.
Announcements of hope, love and generosity towards direct action that was rewarded with the support of the local community…
This whole phenomenon began with an event series that was created to change the face of philanthropy and event planning around the globe.
With the success of this formula a line has been drawn in the sand for us to improve on and the spirit of Awareness Event Series 2009 will lead to even greater events down the road.
Events that will raise money and awareness for worthy causes while also putting the brightest and best talent on display…
It is with this call to action that I leave you with a pair of video productions that were created to commemorate Awareness Event Series 2009.
A commemoration of the posters, bands and people that composed the series of events that energized crowds, got the communities talking about causes that desperately need your support and helped to raise funds that will directly benefit men, women and children around the globe.
Links:
Facebook Search: Awareness Event
Awareness Event Series 2009 Official Music Video
Awareness Event Series 2009 Band Tribute: An in Depth Look at All Seven Bands
www.facebook.com/khalfaniking
www.myspace.com/khalfaniking
www.twitter.com/khalfaniking
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