Hi All!
This is Friz, Organiser of Saving Charmaine.
Great to hear some reaction in here.
Maybe we'd all do well with some links to have a background understanding of what's going on so that we're on the same page:
http://www.tdc.sg/events/details.aspx?eid=6020
http://ourfeistyprincess.blogspot.com/
http://www.tnp.sg/news/story/0,4136,207702,00.html
Saving Charmaine - Live Your Life 2009 is powered by a group of volunteers. I'm doing this pro-bono. So are the volunteers (that's what volunteering is all about, yes?) who are Charmaine's well-wishers. The performing bands are all in this without getting paid as well (kudos to them for taking time off their paid performances and re-scheduling their gigs for the cause). The event is sponsored by many different parties, all in kind to ensure that we're running at ZERO cost. That's because we want all the funds raised to be channeled to Charmaine.
For your ticket price of $17 and $30, all of the proceeds will go towards the Saving Charmaine Fund. This event is audited by HW Soo & Co to ensure the funds are all in order and handed over appropriately to Charmaine's family. There will also be merchandise sales. Same thing - funds audited.
Thank you to KSL for commenting that the event is well-marketed to pull in the crowd. Since the main avenue of fund-raising is through ticket sales, we obviously want to reach out to everyone who'd feel for Charmaine to support the event through purchasing the ticket. It's like a donation. But you're getting something in return - entertainment put up by our talented bands pro-bono. What's the catch? There is NO catch. You donate, and get something in return. Great entertainment for a cause, why not?
To answer the question: why not just a straight donation to the family then?
Well, the event is my brainchild. I'm not rich enough to make a substantial donation. Yes, every cent counts. But I know for sure I can do more than just donate a couple of hundreds. So why not do more, and raise more funds for Charmaine? And so here you go, after my correspondence with Charlene (the one in-charge of
www.ourfeistyprincess.com), and finally getting the green light on 30th June, I've roped in volunteers and with their help, Saving Charmaine - Live Your Life 2009 is all ready to go this coming weekend.
You can still do a straight donation through Charmaine's website above. We'd encourage any form of donation avenue that you prefer - as long as Charmaine's gets the funds she needs.
So you might be thinking: She's already got that $500k she needs. Why more?
We started planning this event before she obtained the amount needed for her upfront deposit. I have never believed in doing things halfway. With dedicated volunteers and sponsors-in-kind all pitching in, why stop halfway when we can still make an impact in her life? I'm sure many of us don't peg our compassion to a monetary value. We care beyond the $500k mark. Sure, there are other ways to support Charmaine - moral support and the likes. For Charmaine right now, having the money is crucial.
The $500k is for the upfront deposit needed. No one can gauge for sure how much will they need. This event aims to raise funds to help Charmaine in her future treatment expenses. Now, Charmaine is a 4-year-old girl. Obviously she needs her mother with her. It wouldn't be fair to say that we're raising funds exclusively for Charmaine's treatment, as her mother who has had to leave her job to care for Charmaine will need financial aid too. This event aims to provide them just that.
It's already tough enough to deal with a harsh blow of your child contracting a terminal illness. We'd like to spare her the financial worry.
I've heard this question often: So, why Charmaine? It's an insane amount of money for just one child!
The moral judgment as to the worth of a life - that's not for me to make. All I know is that Cynthia, like all mums, would do everything she can for her child. Cynthia has shown much courage in face of detractors and disappointing episodes as she fights alongside her little girl. She unabashedly puts her pride aside, deals with the negative remarks and goes all out to save her girl.
Charmaine, on the other hand, is not just a girl with cancer. She's a fighter in face of adversity. In my life, I've had everything I want - friends, fun, fall in love, travel. I've also made mistakes, survived tough times, endured heartbreaks, etc. At some points of my life, I've been given 2nd chances. Charmaine is fighting for her first. Personally, it would break my heart if I knew I could make a difference and didn't.
Yes, there are many Charmaines out there. But this Charmaine spoke to me. Like the Starfish Story by Loren Eiseley, I'm bending down to pick up this starfish because I know I can make a difference to this one, with your help. I'm doing this because I know I can, and I want to.
And I'm glad that there are volunteers, sponsors, performers and many supporters pitching in to help. It's not a one-man effort. It's all a team effort by people from all walks of life. This event provides an avenue for those who've wanted to help Charmaine but don't know how to be involved.
The last question I have in my mind that you might probably ask: Why at a Club? Why a music event?
Zouk has been very, very kind. They have sponsored the venue and logistic help. Without them, this event couldn't have worked out. I have tried sourcing out the various venues that we can have this event. Due to the short leadtime we have, and zero budget, only Zouk stepped up and extended a helping hand. Yes, Zouk, a club is doing their part in Saving Charmaine.
On why we're having a music event - we all know the impact music has on our lives. And our bands are fantastic - you guys should check the talents out there. In my mind, music can heal. Music can make a difference. We have talented musicians. That's the formula right there.
Down the road, some of these bands will make it big. Maybe someday, someone hears a song over the airwaves and says, "Hey, I first heard that at Saving Charmaine in 2009!" We'll then know that this event has made an impact - not only just on Charmaine and her family's life, not only on the volunteers and performers, but on those who've been there to make a difference.
I hope I've answered all your doubts. For those that stumble upon this, I'm grateful for the volunteers, the sponsors, the performers for stepping up. I'm also extending an invite to you to support this event. Tickets are sold at the door and at
www.tdc.sg
Saving Charmaine - Live Your Life 2009.
Because life is worth fighting for.
Cheers
Friz
[email protected]
and done in bad taste in my opinion.
Nice you replied!
