Through Do It For The Love, we provide the opportunity for healing to take place, families to bond, care providers to get a welcome break, and lifelong memories to be made – all through the experience of live music.
Napa, CA (PRWEB) October 13, 2014
In just over one year of existence, the Do It for the Love Foundation (DIFTL) has met its mission by granting more than 200 wish grants for children and adults living with life-threatening illnesses, children with severe challenges as well as wounded veterans.
Founded in August 2013, by musician Michael Franti and Emergency Room nurse Sara Agah, the nonprofit organization is gaining momentum with the backing of a strong Board of Directors and recently appointed professional staff including an Executive Director and Outreach Director.
“Through Do It For The Love, we provide the opportunity for healing to take place, families to bond, care providers to get a welcome break, and lifelong memories to be made – all through the experience of live music,” said co-founder Sara Agah.
Wish grant nominations are accepted online at: http://www.doitforthelove.org. DIFTL sends the wish recipient and up to three family members, friends or caretakers to the concert of their choice, and does everything possible to enhance the experience with artist meet-and-greets, upgraded seating, overnight accommodations and preferred parking.
DIFTL relies on donations to make wish grants happen. While every effort is made to obtain donated tickets, parking and lodging, a grant can cost the organization approximately $1,500. Fundraising efforts include major donor and corporate sponsorship campaigns as well as grassroots events happening across the country.
There are no limits to the musical experiences granted by Do It For The Love. Grantees have attended large-scale concerts from a world-class array of artists. However, wish grants can also be made for small-scale musical shows, including those for children.
“We had an amazing time!” said Elizabeth, wife to Peter, one of our wish grantees, who is living with leukemia and was granted his wish to see the band Ozomatli live. “It was the first time in over six months that we’ve spent time together as a family that was not crisis-related. It was a true celebration of Peter’s survival of this ordeal. Thank you so much! This was truly a special event for our family that we will carry with us in our hearts for a long time!”
As a world-known musician, Michael Franti, has been spreading his message of love, peace and social justice for decades. As an E.R. nurse, Sara Agah, witnesses firsthand the toll that life-threatening medical conditions have on both patients and their loved ones. Do It For The Love bridges both of their passions and expertise.
The idea for the organization was spurred by an encounter with two of Michael’s fans in the spring of 2013. A young couple - Hope and Steve - reached out to Michael and shared their desire to attend one of Michael Franti & Spearhead’s concerts, as Steve is living with advanced stages of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). They were provided not just tickets, but Michael invited the couple to join him and the band onstage. Although barely able to move his body, Steve asked Hope to lift him out of his wheelchair. Wrapped in each other’s arms, they danced on stage in front of 20,000 fellow music fans. There was not a dry eye in the house. That night, Sara and Michael decided they wanted to continue to give the gift of live music to inspire joy, connectedness and a positive, potentially life-changing experience to as many other people in need as possible.
Mission
Do It For The Love is a nonprofit wish-granting organization that brings people living with life-threatening illnesses, children with severe challenges, and wounded veterans to live concerts and other music experiences. Through the healing power of music, our goal is to inspire joy, hope, and lasting celebratory memories in the face of severe illness or trauma.