By Kharisma McIlwaine
The beauty of art in all of its forms is that it offers value to all who experience it in a variety of ways. When art uses its power and those of influence to help give back to communities in need, non-profit organizations like Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and Wounded Warrior Project benefit greatly.
In February 1988, members of The Producers’ Group founded Broadway Cares with the goal of raising money for AIDS service organizations all over the country. One of the organizations that was awarded money from Broadway Cares was Equity Fights AIDS, which was founded in October 1987 by the Council of Actors’ Equity Association.
In 1992, Broadway Cares and Equity Fights AIDS combined forces to become Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. As one of the nation’s top industry-based nonprofit fundraising and grant-making organizations for AIDS, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS has raised over $300 million. Much like Broadway Cares /Equity Fights AIDS, The Wounded Warrior Project was founded in 2003 to help a specific group in need…veterans.
John Melia — a veteran who served as a Marine — created the Wounded Warrior Project after he was severely injured in a helicopter crash while serving in Somalia. After seeing how other wounded veterans were treated after returning back home, Melia made it his mission to provide care packages to injured veterans in the form of backpacks filled with comfort items. Originally a division of the United Spinal Association, the Wounded Warriors Project branched off in 2005, creating its own entity. With the motto “The greatest casualty is being forgotten,” the Wounded Warrior Project has gifted over 65,000 backpacks to veterans in transition and continues to be a port in the storm for veterans in need.
The work that both Broadway Cares /Equity Fights AIDS and the Wounded Warrior Project do for communities in need does not go unnoticed. Both organizations help men, women and children throughout the country, who receive life saving medications, healthy meals, health care, counseling and emergency financial assistance as a result .
On Monday, October 21, the touring cast of “Hamilton” will present “Star, Love, Freedom — A Concert Benefiting Broadway Cares /Equity Fights AIDS and Wounded Warrior Project” at 8pm on Monday at World Café Live, 3205 Walnut St. During the benefit concert, the audience can look forward to song, dance and spoken word from the company and a few special guests.
Before lending his talent to the cast of “Hamilton” Josh Tower (Aaron Burr), served in the United States Army. As an Army veteran, Tower helped coordinate the benefit concert along with “Hamilton” stage manager Eric Tysinger. The event will feature performances from Tower, Chaundre Hall-Bloomfield (Mulligan/Madison), Stephanie Umoh (Angelica), Olivia Puckett (Peggy/Maria), Natalie Clater, Tré Frazier, Patrick Garr, Paige Krumbach, Robbie Nicholson, Desmond Nunn, Stephanie Jae Park, Cherry Torres, Kendyl Sayuri Yokoyama and DeeJay Young. The performances of the evening will incorporate selections from the cast members’ favorite musicals, as well as popular music across genres.
The evening will also include a: special guest speaker from the Wounded Warrior Project, a silent auction, a raffle and unique, limited-edition memorabilia.
Tickets for the “Star, Love, Freedom Concert Benefiting Broadway Cares /Equity Fights AIDS and Wounded Warrior Project” range from $40 to $150 with a $300 VIP package available.
A portion of proceeds raised will benefit Broadway Cares /Equity Fights AIDS and Wounded Warrior Project. All tickets purchased for the benefit are tax deductible and will help two worthy causes continue to provide services to marginalized people in need. Tickets for the benefit concert are available for purchase at: http://starlovefreedomwcl.eventbrite.com/ .
Related Posts
Leave a Comment