Advice Needed for a Benefit

felix'apprentice · Post by **felix'apprentice** » Wednesday Jun 16, 2010

Alright, so a close friend of mine was diagnosed with a brain tumor on saturday. It was a total shock for our whole community. He's our high school basketball coach and him and his family are a huge part of sports program (Harmony High School). "Teach" has been a huge part in so many kids lives, and being a small small school and community it has hit a lot of people hard. He lead our small high school single A program to 5 MVL titles the last five years. Its a huge feat for such a small school (we graduate 25-30 tops each year).

But anyways, I am seriously considering putting a benefit together for the family - because even though they have health insurance and what not its still expensive to travel from La Jose to Pittsburgh. And i know they've been staying at hotels to stay close.

I know a lot of Rockpagers have put together benefits. I need some advice on how to organize and set up. I'd like to throw together a dinner and dance on a friday/saturday. The support for the family has been incredible, although all we can offer right now are prayers and support. i'd like to be able to offer a little help financially for them.

So if anyone has any advice, please respond. And even if you don't have any advice, please pray for Terry Kruise aka "teach" and his family.

Thank you so much!

- kayla.

Mysterytrain · Post by **Mysterytrain** » Wednesday Jun 16, 2010

Sorry to hear about Terry. Life can change in an instant. I don't think we really understand how important it is to get the most you can out of life during your healthiest period. (some don't even get that chance)

My advice...

Step One: Call Claudio at 30 Something and pick a Sunday afternoon/evening to hold a benefit. Sundays are good because bands are usually booked for friday and saturday 2 months ahead. You may consider a dinner plate for $10 or something like that. Sound system is provided.

But since it's summer you may consider an outdoor venue like Lakemont Park, Casio, DelGrosso's or someplace that offers swimming or anything to bring folks out. Or since he is a coach, set up a basketball game and charge folks to enter and compete. Students doing the car wash thing seems to work too.

Step Two: Post that you are looking for bands here on Rockpage. If you want certain styles then be specific. Add the date, time slots, and cover/donations.

Step Three: Like Dirty Sanchez did... find stores/individuals to donate basket items for a raffle during the event. 50/50 are good but the problem is that you end up giving half of the money back.

Step Four: Contact the Altoona Mirror, radio, and tv with a press release to post FOR FREE on bulletins, community sections etc.

Step Five: Hang posters, flyers, use facebook events, and also try to give as much promo material to bands ahead of time.

A few tips... if it's outdoors assume it's going to rain so have a covered area just to be safe. I would stay away from selling tickets ahead of time unless there is a limit. It's just too hard keeping track.

There's more that folks will add to this thread but these are a few ideas.

One last thing, you're right, the folks on rockpage are very generous people. Any advice you get here will certainly be worthy of consideration.

I can be reached at 814-330-6681 for questions.

Sorry again about the sad news,
Dan

floodcitybrass · Post by **floodcitybrass** » Wednesday Jun 16, 2010

That's a shame.
We just played a benefit for someone with brain cancer and raised $14,000 in one night last month.
I have a pretty good model for raising money. PM and we can chat.

Naga · Post by **Naga** » Thursday Jun 17, 2010

Actually, mentioning Sanchez, I'd contact him and ask for ideas, advice, general help. He does amazing jobs, and I think the only benefit he put together in recent years that DIDN'T score at least $2000 was during this past winter, where the area got slammed by a big storm. There are many other individuals you can contact as well for ideas and advice, but off-hand, I can't think of them

Good luck on the benefit, and to "Teach"!

felix'apprentice · Post by **felix'apprentice** » Thursday Jun 17, 2010

thanks everyone for the advice so far.

i've been tossing many ideas around in my head. everything from a dinner w/a few bands playing to a 3 on 3 basketball tournament to just a plain dinner at the school. either way i want to do something.

its just hard to see a family go through something like this. and my heart breaks. and makes me realize how fortunate i am.

but anyways, thanks again. and keep the advice coming if you can. thanks!

- kayla.

felix'apprentice · Post by **felix'apprentice** » Tuesday Jun 22, 2010

Alright, so we just got word last night that Teach in fact has brain cancer. This just sucks, period.

but nevertheless, i am putting together a benefit. i am lookin into the westover firehall to provided a location - one band has contaced me about playing already. i'd like to have 2-3 bands, more than likely it will be on a Sunday - but could possibly be on a friday night. A lot of details are still up in the air, but i am determined to help out this familly.

If there are any bands willing to help, please contact me. email - kfeaster628@yahoo.com or pm me here and i can give you my phone number. as soon as i can, i will post with details on a date and more information.

thank you in advance for your help.

- kayla.

beatlemaniac · Post by **beatlemaniac** » Tuesday Jun 22, 2010

hi kayla mr butterworth contacted me about a benefit and we had july thirty as a date . White Shadow was going to play and we could have had more join in but he called me back about an hour later and said that date would not work. they ar having a dinner at the church next wednesday and they will be collecting donations there. maybe we can get a lot of people to take a ride up the mountain and have dinner and make a donation. I will help you any way I can down the road to organize something with the musicians. You know Terry and his family and I go way back . played softball with his dad and played tennis with and refereed basketball for terry many times . A great guy and all that know him are very upset. You are a very good person and you will get something done in time . tell everyone how to get to the church rt thiirty six to silvis road make left at stop sign etc. go how far I 'm not sure . keep in touch jerry c

oobie · Post by **oobie** » Friday Jun 25, 2010

I know Teach personally as well and it was a shock to hear the news! Kayla let me know if there is anything that I could do to help. PM me if you have anything in mind. What about the Grange fair stage? I think they would let you use it for a benefit.

felix'apprentice · Post by **felix'apprentice** » Friday Jul 09, 2010

an update ... if anyone is interested. some people from the school put together a spaghetti dinner at the grange a lil over a week ago. the turnout was absolutely overwhelming.

they sold over 800 dinners, and raised a lil over $15,000 for the family.

we ran out of food a good five times. they had a basket raffle and 81 gift baskets were donated ! whoa!

and the other good news ... 95% of the tumor was removed and teach is home and doin very well!

- kayla.

oobie · Post by **oobie** » Friday Jul 09, 2010

My sister told me about that, Kayla!! Good people!!!!

Banned · Post by **Banned** » Friday Jul 09, 2010

felix'apprentice wrote:an update ... if anyone is interested. some people from the school put together a spaghetti dinner at the grange a lil over a week ago. the turnout was absolutely overwhelming.

they sold over 800 dinners, and raised a lil over $15,000 for the family. we ran out of food a good five times. they had a basket raffle and 81 gift baskets were donated ! whoa!

and the other good news ... 95% of the tumor was removed and teach is home and doin very well!

- kayla.

Praise God!