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Fundraiser jazz band? Yes, sometimes it seems we belong in that category, too, along with providing the right music for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, holiday parties, and company banquets. Wherever people gather to celebrate whatever, that’s a great place and time for us to set the perfect festive atmosphere and help them enjoy the party.
For example, here we are in Hollister, CA, back in July 2010, at a dinner party to benefit the San Benito County Homeless Coalition, headed by Cindy Parr. Actually, in this photo we’re sitting under the umbrella by the bandstand, listening to the evening’s program. Thank you for this nice picture, Steve Loos.
This was our second year entertaining at their annual “Jazz Under the Stars”. Afterward the organizers told me their fundraiser was a huge success, and we should save the date for next year’s party. It’ll be a pleasure!
Thinking about this party, I’m pleased to realize that a significant portion of the Magnolia Jazz Band’s engagements are fundraising events to benefit local non-profit organizations — easily several every month. And the same commitment is true for MANY of my colleagues in the wedding-and-party-planning business.
Let me name just a few of my friends: Liz Guthrie and Sasha Souza, who manage the San Francisco Dream Wedding Giveaway and Wish Upon a Wedding; Debbie Quintana and Amy Frugoli, who produced the fabulous Benefit Party for Aaron Tanner last month; Stacie Tamaki, who maintains an online Volunteer Philanthropy Directory; LT Beaton, President of Silicon Valley NACE, whose meetings collect items to support a different charity each month; and Rich Amooi, a local DJ and radio personality who organizes groups of his colleagues to volunteer at Second Harvest Food Bank.
Would you like to get involved with these people? Please contact any of them and offer to help. This is just a brief list — the complete roster would be quite long, and I apologize for omitting so many of my friends.
I’m proud to be an active member of this community that takes care of it’s own. It’s a welcome sign of civilized behavior in a time when compassion sometime seems in short supply.
I salute EVERYONE whose efforts are helping to make a difference. Please send me a comment about what you’re up to, and I’ll mention you in a future blog post or on my Facebook page.
Thanks for reading this article. I appreciate your interest and hope you get a few good ideas here. Got one or two? I'd love to hear what you liked. Please write me a little COMMENT below. Start a conversation -- I'll reply. Promise.
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Meanwhile, the Magnolia Jazz Band entertains at weddings and parties throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. If you are ever nearby, you’ll love catching us in action, seeing and hearing us create a great mood.
How can I help you? Call 408-245-9120 or use [email protected]. Planning a celebration? Ask about our availability.
