en-us Copyright 2008 - All Rights Reserved. Wed, 22 May 2013 14:12:37 GMT 15 By Chris Burg
After Haiti was recently ravaged by relentless hurricanes and tropical storms that left more than 300 people dead and thousands of people homeless, the U.S. goverment has played a large role in sending emergency relief to the devastated country. Although Americans acted quickly after the storms by sending emergency supplies, the relief efforts have recently been dwindling. Senior Travis Tyler is picking up the slack on the relief efforts by raising money for the Haitian National Red Cross Society with a charity concert he has put together called “Harmonizing Haiti.” “Watching a show is relaxing and exhilarating. Why not make it humanitarian also?” Tyler said. Tyler’s plan is to combine a non-profit fundraiser with a night of musical entertainment, creating a charity event that will hopefully bring students flocking in. “People watch the news, see the highlights and feel guilty, but then turn their televisions off. I want to take it a step further. In order to pull those who are lazy and unmotivated off their sofas, I’ve brought them the entertainment of extremely talented artists and put a cause behind their talents,” Tyler said. Tyler was shocked by the lack of media coverage on Haiti’s condition after the three storms. Motivated by the obscurity of Haiti’s welfare, Tyler decided to support the relief effort after receiving inspiration from his sister. Stephanie Tyler, the president of the Fine Arts & Healing Organization at the University of Florida, coerced Travis to get involved. “She has been constantly pushing me to follow her foot steps in my network of friends and community. I proposed the idea to her; she gave me a few contacts to the American Red Cross, and, a month later, “Harmonizing Haiti” is spreading through hallways in school,” Tyler said. Sophomore Sarah Flanders admires the charity that “Harmonizing Haiti” will provide and plans on attending the concert. “Harmonizing Haiti is a really great cause. Donating all that money that the bands get for hurricane relief is something really selfless and virtuous, especially when we weren’t affected by these storms ourselves; the show is for an extremely important cause,” Flanders said. Tyler is hoping to have a packed-house the night of the concert because every person counts when it comes to raising money. Tyler’s most important decision was the selection of what bands will play at the concert. “Many of the bands that I chose were chosen for specific reasons. I considered which bands would really put their hearts into the cause, and how much fan base the band could potentially promote,” Tyler said. Three bands that will perform at the concert have members that attend Palmetto: Perry & The Grandkids, The Skamatics, and December’s Waiting. Two other featured bands, the Czechs, and Tinfoil Apparatus, will perform along with guest appearances by local spoken word poets. “I usually attend local shows and will definitely be going to this one. The bands are great and it’s always a fun time, but this time I know that it’s helping other people,” Flanders said. To further heighten the appeal of the “Harmonizing Haiti” show, Tyler offers a final incentive for anyone who attends the show. Upon entering the concert, students can sign their name on a list to help clean up after the show and receive two hours of community service. “A lot of kids I know want to help their communities, but are stuck on how to. Here is the reason for the season of community service, thrown to them on a silver ‘stage,’” Tyler said. The concert will be held at the German American Social Club at 11919 S.W. 56th street on Friday, November 21st. Tickets are 10 dollars and will be sold at the door. Doors open at 6:30 pm and the first band will start at 7 pm. ]]> Wed, 05 Nov 2008 02:49:00 GMT