Jam4Haiti is the brainchild of myself (Autumn Lovell), a local Eugene charity called H.O.N.E.Y. inc, and a musician from the band, “The People’s Choice.” When asked if I would help to organize a venue for local artists to perform and raise money for the victims of the Haiti Earthquake I was eager to help… and this is why.
For the last two days I’d been watching as the survivors were pulled from piles of grey rubble, one by one… and as the days went by the victims reached a certain size and age… around the same as my own two sons who are 11 and 12. I sat with horror as I realized they were the only ones small enough to survive the initial collapse of the buildings, and still big enough to survive several days without food or water. They were alone as they were handed to crowds of volunteer rescue workers… and to people from the Doctors Without Borders foundation.
These children are likely to be the final members of their families… and so in my mind that makes them the world’s children. Just as I hope my extended family would step up in time of personal tragedy to care for my children, I now realize the global family of humanity must now step in during this public tragedy and try to make a difference.
So I started planning a Jam 4 Haiti… and I think this early decision to do something positive will bolster me for the entire year ahead. It has surely bolstered me through the tragedy in Haiti. I have a feeling the musicians and volunteers feel a similar way. We can’t stand by without finding a way to contribute… and through that small effort perhaps we can also find a way to sooth out own grief over the human loss in Haiti.
I hope you’ll join us at the Jam… the music is going to be outstanding, and the spirit of giving will surely be an inspiration.
