Walked over to Meghan's house this AM to meet up with her. We walked over to Downtown Jinja, and went to the market. Walking around the perimeter reminded me of contemplating jumping into an outdoor swimming pool. Once you jump in, no matter what the temperature of the pool, it's too late to get out. The corridors of the Jinja market are tight - once we walked in, we were in! Meghan applied her skills bartering with the Boda Drivers to cut deals with the vendors on my behalf. I bought a pair of $1 flip flops made from tires, to primarily wear in the showers this summer. My Chaco flip flops have fabric webbing and are getting smelly because I've been wearing them in and out of the showers. (If you wanted to know.)
We then walked through the downtown shops - a lot of textiles, beaded necklaces and bracelets, and assorted household goods. We stopped at an Indian restaurant for lunch. Delicious! Prior to sitting down at the Indian restaurant, we stopped in at an internet cafe, where we ran into two of Meghan's fellow volunteers. I noticed that the guy sitting at the next table was wearing an Invisible Children. Of course I had to go talk with him.
Turns out that Tom is Ugandan, and is a student at Rochester College in Michigan. He helps out with the campus' Invisible Children club. After learning that my summer here was partly inspired by Invisible Children, Tom called a friend who works with Invisible Children in their Gulu office in Northern Uganda, and introduced me so that I now have a contact at the organization. I cannot WAIT to go visit! It was also great to meet Tom! I also had fun telling him about Brett Dennen's partnership with Invisible Children.
After lunch Meghan and I stopped off at another market for fruit. Spent the rest of the day hanging out in the really nice outdoor lounge spot at the hostel, chatting and using free wireless. I got to catch up on some embarassingly backlogged stuff. Meghan and I are off to some nearby waterfalls tomorrow. She's an excellent tour guide and friend:)
I'd mentioned Reverb's newer initiative, Green Music Group, in a previous blog post. Here's a recap.
Green Music Group is a coalition of musicians, industry leaders, and music fans using our collective power to bring about widespread environmental change within the music industry and around the globe.
I love that HeadCount is a GMG non-profit partner:) Check out this video to learn more about GMG:
If you're new to GMG, then maybe this is a good time to check it out ... :)
Every two weeks, a GMG Artist will challenge YOU to make an eco-friendly change in your life. We'll be taking these challenges along with you, and we'll all be learning as we go. There are lots of cool prizes in the mix, so join us!
To get started, you must first create a GMG Challenge Profile. Then, look for instructions on how to participate under each challenge video! Your first challenge begins on April 10th.
We're giving one lucky challenge participant a grand prize: the chance to drive away in a 2010 Honda Insight Hybrid LX! All you have to do is take one of our nine challenges. Good luck!
Check out this awesome video from the GMG launch event, featuring an interview with Brett Dennen:)
From an April 6th Paste Magazine article that I came across today, thanks to Mick Management's Facebook page:
... Soldiers who escape from the LRA [Lords Resistance Army in Uganda aka child soldiers] often take cover in the bush, too ashamed of what they’ve done to return to their homes. In an effort to bring home the men living in self-imposed exile, the women of Northern Uganda have begun singing songs of peace, welcoming and forgiveness, which are passed by radio and word of mouth out to the bush. And, as a result, the soldiers are finally beginning to come home.
The Voice Project “is an attempt to support these incredible women and the peace movement in Uganda, and an effort to see how far a voice can carry.”
It seeks to amplify the voices of the women of Northern Uganda by joining them, asking artists to cover one of their favorite songs by someone else to pass the message of peace and solidarity along.
Paste is proud to premiere The Voice Project’s first video, in which Brett Dennen covers Citizen Cope’s “Healing Hands.”
He recently announced an upcoming free show in San Diego, California on October 11 at the Cricket Wireless Amphitheater in Chula Vista, California. Tickets were 'sold' through the paperless ticket method which requires purchase with a credit card and were gone in a snap. The credit card must also be presented at the concert venue to gain admission.
The show starting at 6 pm will feature Brett Dennen as the opening act with Bushwalla as the host. Brett Dennen also supports the Surfrider Foundation.
Photo: Mike Childs (Surfrider DC Chapter), Nicole (Surfrider DC Chapter), Randy Schwartz (drums), Brett Dennen (vocals, guitar), Matt Montee (road manager), Jason (Surfrider DC Chapter), Steve Adams(bass)
Charities like the Surfrider Foundation, VH1 Save the Music and San Diego Youth Services will be on hand as well to accept donations from fans: "This has become a 'pay what you like' show in reality." Jason Mraz explains. "We'll give the show up to the fans for free, and ask them to drop in at the charity tables and give the non-profits the money that they think the show is worth. With no obligation to do so, of course, just a suggestion."
30 pairs of the best seated tickets will be auctioned off along with a meet and greet with Jason to benefit the Surfrider Foundation!!
CLICK HERE for the auction and to bid on Jason Mraz tickets to benefit Surfrider.
Carpooling is encouraged with carpools of three or more being allowed to park for free.
Shoes that Make a Difference -- three cause marketing examples:
PHOTO: Hunter PR You could be sporting these autographed Jack Johnson flip flops if you win!
Barefoot Wine Beach Rescue Project Charity Auction From December 2 - 12, 2008, visit: www.eBay.com/BarefootWine to bid on shoes previously owned, and kicked off by your favorite eco-minded celebrities: Andrew Keegan, Cameron Diaz, G. Love, Lisa Anderson, Matt Costa, Nick Hexum, Matthew McConaughey, Sal Masekela, Jack Johnson, Sophia Bush, Kelly Slater, and Tristan Prettyman.
All proceeds from this auction will benefit the Surfrider Foundation.
The Shoes for our Shores charity auction is a step towards improving the state of our coastlines,” said Matt McClain of the Surfrider Foundation. “We’re stoked and grateful to see some of our long-time celebrity supporters kicking off their shoes and going ‘barefoot’ for the Surfrider Foundation.”
TOMS Shoes, Paste Magazine and Brett Dennen are giving fans a reason to say “thanks” this Thanksgiving.
One (1) Grand Prize winner will win a prize pack including a pair of TOMS Shoes designed by Brett Dennen, Brett’s new album, and a year-long subscription to Paste. (4) Runners-up will also win prize packs including: - an exclusive pair of TOMS shoes autographed by Brett Dennen - a copy of Brett’s new CD Hope for the Hopeless - Yearlong subscription to Paste You can enter the contest here.
For more info about the amazing TOMS Shoes, founded by young entrepeneur Blake Mycoskie, check out this video:
While we are on the subject of Brett Dennen and shoes, in 2007 Brett toured with Guster on the Crocs’ Next Step Campus Tour. The tour promoted eco-friendly green initiatives while educating attendees on ways to help the environment. The tour stopped at fifteen colleges, including Gonzaga University, the College of William and Mary, North Carolina State University, Michigan State University, Pennsylvania State University, the University of Vermont, the University of Florida, Furman University, Georgia Southern University, Murray State University, Vanderbilt University, Indiana University, and Williams College.
I just read about SolesUnited, Crocs' cause marketing campaign -- consumers drop their old Crocs off at an authorized donation center, where they are shipped to SolesUnited. SolesUnited grinds them up (along with rubber scraps from the manufacturing process) and makes brand new shoes. These shoes are given to people who need them.
An explanation of the program, from Crocs:
In this video, SolesUnited, the Houston Rockets and Feed the Children deliver Crocs shoes and boxes of food to Hurricane Ike victims.
I love that Surfrider receives so much support from the industry. My favorite cause marketing project is the Barefoot Wine Beach Rescue Project, but the Surfrider Holiday Gift Guide is pretty cool, too:) Purchase these goods, and the companies will donate part of the proceeds to Surfrider.
In 2007 & 2008, Barefoot Wine and Surfrider held beach clean ups in several cities. Brett Dennen, John Butler of the John Butler Trio, and Tristan Prettyman performed at the clean ups, and also helped pick up trash.
According to Rock the Earth's 12/2007 e-newsletter, John and Brett spent 2 hours helping volunteers clean up San Francisco's Ocean Beach, before playing a show on the beach for the 250 volunteers who showed up to pick up trash. The day's events wrapped up with a raffle of great donated prizes including a Rock the Earth poster signed by both artists, boxes of CLIF bars, Surfrider gear, and tickets to the John Butler Trio show later that night at the Warfield. See the John Butler video below.
I love this cause marketing project!!! And stay tuned - the Barefoot Wine beach clean ups with Surfrider is an annual event:)
UPDATE: from Alexis Henry, Surfrider Communications Manager:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CELEBRITIES KICK OFF THEIR SHOES TO HELP AMERICA’S SHORES
Barefoot Wine Beach Rescue ProjectTM Hosts Online Shoe Auction To Benefit The Surfrider Foundation
MODESTO, Calif. (DECEMBER 3, 2008) – As the holiday season approaches, what better time to put your best foot forward and give back to the causes and organizations you care about? The Barefoot Wine Beach Rescue Project is hosting an online charity auction of shoes belonging to beach-loving celebrities in an effort to raise awareness and generate funds to support the Surfrider Foundation— a grassroots, not-for-profit environmental organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s oceans, waves and beaches.
To create the collection, Barefoot Wine asked actors, athletes and musicians to help “heel” America’s beaches by kicking off their shoes and donating them in support of more “barefoot-friendly” beaches. Notable surfing enthusiasts going barefoot for the cause include: actors Matthew McConaughey, Cameron Diaz, Sophia Bush and Andrew Keegan, athletes Kelly Slater and Lisa Andersen, Host of E!’s Daily Ten and the X-Games Sal Masekela and musicians Jack Johnson, G. Love (of G. Love and Special Sauce), Matt Costa, Nick Hexum (of 311) and Tristan Prettyman.
The autographed shoes will be listed on eBay’s Giving Works, which empowers people to buy and sell for a cause. The charity auction will begin at 4:00pm PST on Tuesday, December 2 and end on Friday, December 12. Visit www.eBay.com/BarefootWine to view the collection of shoes and place your bids.
“Barefoot Wine is committed to helping make beaches ‘barefoot-friendly’ though the Barefoot Wine Beach Rescue Project,” said Jeremy Soine for Barefoot Wine. “We’re donating 100% of the proceeds from this charity auction to support the Surfrider Foundation’s ongoing efforts to keep our world’s beaches healthy for generations to come.”
“This charity auction is an additional step towards improving the state of our coastlines,” said Matt McClain, Director of Marketing and Communications for Surfrider Foundation. “We’re stoked and grateful to see some of our long-time celebrity supporters kicking off their shoes and going ‘barefoot’ for the Surfrider Foundation.”
Barefoot, the award-winning California wine, has been an active supporter of various not-for-profit organizations for over 20 years. Since its inauguration in 2007, the Barefoot Wine Beach Rescue Project has donated $250,000 to the Surfrider Foundation in support of its mission to improve coastal water quality, promote free and open beach access, preserve coastal ecosystems and protect public beaches around the world.
Barefoot’s award-winning California wines are attractively priced and can be found in playful, colorful cases and bottles bearing the iconic footprint label. Barefoot’s still wine portfolio ($7 for 750-ml bottles, $12 for 1.5-liter bottles) includes nine unique offerings: Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, White Zinfandel, NEW Moscato, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Zinfandel. Barefoot also offers five delicious sparkling wines: Barefoot Bubbly Brut Cuvée, Barefoot Bubbly Premium Extra Dry and the NEW Barefoot Bubbly Pinot Grigio Champagne, Barefoot Bubbly Chardonnay Champagne and Barefoot Bubbly White Zinfandel Champagne. All of these award-winning sparkling wines retail for $10. For more information about Barefoot Wine, visit www.barefootwine.com .
The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of our world’s oceans, waves and beaches. Founded in 1984 by a handful of visionary surfers in Malibu, California, the Surfrider Foundation now maintains over 50,000 members and 80 chapters worldwide. For more information on the Surfrider Foundation, go to www.surfrider.org .
