A group of local musicians, in partnership with Bend based humanitarian organization World Relief NEXT, announces The Bend For Haiti Benefit Concert on March 19, 2010. The doors of Bend’s historic Tower Theatre will open at 6PM for an evening of hors d’oeuvres and live music that will provide desperately needed assistance to the millions of Haitians still suffering from the devastating 7.1 earthquake. One hundred percent of the proceeds raised by the concert will be donated to international relief and development agency, World Relief to provide ready to eat food, clean drinkable water and other essential emergency supplies.
The need is staggering. Since the earthquake struck January 12 government officials in Haiti have estimated over 210,000 dead and 1 million homeless (numbers equal to Tsunami of 2004). With over 250,000 homes destroyed and an estimated $14 billion in structural damages, the effort to rebuild Haiti is speculated to last at least ten years. With so many living on the streets with improper sanitation, inadequate access to food, water, shelter and health care the risk of infectious disease is staggering. For Haiti, the already poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, the biggest need is long term support.
“Our hope is that people won’t forget about Haiti even when the headlines do,” says concert organizer Justin Lavik. “We know people are going to be hurting for a long time, and we want to do what we can to help.”
World Relief NEXT team member Matthew Smith has seen this need first hand. “Being on the ground in Haiti is shocking. People have lost everything; homes, jobs, families. The need is everywhere – and we can help. This concert is a good first step.”
At The Haiti Benefit Concert, Central Oregonians can come together to make a tangible difference. Justin Lavik explains, “Most of us will never have the chance to go help in Haiti, but by attending the concert we can support those who are.”
Concert tickets will be sold at the door for $35, or, for $50 the ticket includes access to an after party hosted in the nearby Liberty Theater including live music, Haitian food and dancing.
WHAT: Bend For Haiti Benefit Concert and After Party
WHY: Benefit for World Relief programs in Port-au-Prince, Haiti
WHEN: Friday, March 19, 2010 at 7PM (doors open at 6pm)
WHERE: The Tower Theatre, downtown Bend
WHO: Local musicians and one headliner from out of town
BendforHaiti Blog 