COVID restrictions have eased up throughout the county, allowing nonprofits to once again plan creative fundraising events. HOPE, or Homeless Outreach Providing Encouragement, kicks off a concert series on Thursday, with all benefits helping the nonprofit.
HOPE will host a six-concert series. The schedule for the series is as follows:
July 1: Mad Dog Blues at Wibby Brewing
July 2: Cat Jerky at Copper Sky Distillery
July 8: Irish, Scottish, Folk Delight at 300 Suns Brewing
July 15: Jambu Brazilian at Avery Brewing
July 22: The Well Intentioned Band at Dickens 300 Prime
July 29: 50 Shade of Blue at Caffe Sole
Each of the concerts will run from 7-9 p.m.
In February of last year, Kimberly Braun joined the HOPE team as the director of development. She had high hopes to increase programming in order to engage the community, she said. Little did she know she was weeks away from changing all her plans to a virtual format.
Braun was up for the challenge and quickly created the Summer Sundown Music Series that allowed local musicians the opportunity to play a paying virtual event, help HOPE with some fundraising efforts and share live music with HOPE supporters.
During the pandemic, HOPE tripled its services to the homeless community by adding a Safelot program, increasing sheltering and increasing daily services for those in need, Braun said.
“The goal really is, we have expanded, we need to stay strong in our programming. My goal is to really raise money for HOPE and to do it in a really fun way,” Braun said.
This year’s programming has the option to be hybrid, Braun excitedly said. Each concert is scheduled for a different venue in a local venue. Individuals interested in attending the concerts are encouraged to reserve a ticket by registering online with a $10-20 suggested donation, however, no tickets are required to attend. Proceeds benefit HOPE.
Those who still feel more comfortable staying at home, can register for an online link and HOPE will live-stream the event. If no one registers to view a concert online, the event will only be viewable in-person, Braun said.
“So far everyone who has signed up is coming in person … but if anybody wants to attend virtual, I will have it set up and do it for them,” Braun said.
HOPE has gathered items for a brewery swag bag which includes tickets for future concerts, gift cards to breweries and much more. Community members are allowed to register for the swag drawing without attending the concert.
Braun said she is very excited to finally get a chance to meet more of the community, since the pandemic prevented much in-person networking. She invites members of the community to stop by the concerts and say hello so she can finally match names with faces, she said.
