Wow - small town local benefit raises $4500

kesslari · #1 07-31-2011, 01:05 PM

I live in a small, working-class town with some seriously big-hearted people!

We played a benefit last night at our local dive bar. A SF Giants baseball fan, Brian Stow, was critically injured this spring in an unprovoked parking lot beating at Dodger Stadium (there was and still is a bunch of news about it). Brian is still in a coma, his recovery is uncertain.

We (Folk in A - my "other" band) were part of a 2 band benefit that included a shrimp boil (big plates of cajun shrimp and trimmings), a bunch of donated raffle items and silent auction (including a winery that donated a 30 person wine-tasting).

We raised over $4500 - all from "just folks" who have the usual trouble making their car payments etc. Even with everything else they were donating, folks put close to $100 in the band tip jar, which we added to the donations for Brian.

All in all, a great night.
The best things about this place are the incredible natural beauty of the environment and the good hearts of the people who live here.

DanAleks · #2 07-31-2011, 01:12 PM

That's awesome!

Dethrats · #3 07-31-2011, 01:35 PM

great post

pasta4lnch · #4 07-31-2011, 01:39 PM

That's awesome - I've played a couple of fund raisers that were heartfelt and they were a blast!

BillJarrett · #5 07-31-2011, 01:50 PM

I love stories like that.

Our area instead gets one like this:

A original band from the area runs into trouble while doing a mini "tour" in Georgia and somehow one of them gets arrested. A few other bands get a phone call from a local venue and are asked about throwing a benefit to help raise money to make the guys bail so he can come home.

Long story short, the venue raises almost 600 bucks, and gives it over the guys bandmates.

We all feel great that we helped out and came together to for a good cause....until 2 weeks later after finding out that he was never in jail and the band was just pissed they lost money by going on the road and playing crappy gigs.

kcole4001 · #6 07-31-2011, 01:56 PM

Cool story!
It's certainly a nce feeling to have been part of something like that, especially if the guy pulls through (let's hope he does!).

There's no shortage of cancer benefits and the like around here, seems there's always at least one a month.

The best recent story was late last year, though.
A local mechanic was suffering from Parkinsons, he's only 40ish, and could no longer work and could barely walk it was getting so bad.
The locals raised enough money to get him to Germany for an experimental treatment, and I'm glad to say that he's almost fully recovered.
He's a great guy, so it's doubly nice to see him back on his feet.

TinIndian · #7 08-02-2011, 03:41 PM

That's great stuff! I love doing benefits, we have another coming up in November. The last one, we didn't actually play in, it was the night after our gig, same venue, but we were at the benefit and donated everything we had made from the night before.

zillo · #8 08-02-2011, 08:04 PM

That has got to make you feel good about your home town...nice story.