A weekend of art, music and making a difference

On January 12, 2010, Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, experienced a disastrous earthquake that affected the lives of 3.7 million folks. Folks who didn't have much of anything to begin with, only their homes and their families. Today , 8 months later, 1.5 million people are still misplaced or homeless, many have lost their families, many struggle with devastating injuries. Sitting in the comfort of my own home, my needs met, my garden full of food...I have felt a deep sadness in my heart for these suffering fellow human beings. And, it dawned on me, that if I were to gather my friends and community into a positive action of solidarity, together we could make a difference.

So, with incredible generosity and willingness, musicians and artists, business people, craftsmen and so many other members of our community and beyond have come together to create 'Give 'Em Shelter', a 3-evening event designed to raise donations to help Haiti rebuild. All of the proceeds raised during 'Give 'Em Shelter' will go directly to Habitat for Humanity in Haiti. The Blessings Project Foundation is partnering with us in this humanitarian action. I'm very happy to have Blessings acting as fiscal agent for our benefit.

On Labor Day Weekend ( Sept. 2, 3 and 4) the Downtown Arts District of Winston Salem will come alive with loving, creative and talented people who have come together to make a difference, AND have some fun. Live music will pour out of many venues, handmade instruments and original art works will fly off the walls in a Silent Auction, beautiful posters and t-shirts will be offered for sale and donations will be accepted gratefully. And the result of this happy experience will be the knowledge that, working together, we can bring a little bit of peace to Haitians who know so little joy in their own lives right now. Please join us.

-Joe Thrift