Hope 8 and … And Even More Hope Concerts Raise Over One Half-Million Dollars For Area Charities
January 20, 2016(RED BANK, NJ | JANUARY 20, 2016) “Hope 8” and “… And Even More Hope,” the December 23rd benefit concerts starring Bobby Bandiera, philanthropist and musician Jon Bon Jovi, Blondie’s Deborah Harry, John Cafferty, Gary U.S. Bonds, Tim McLoone and others at the Count Basie Theatre, raised more than one-half million dollars for its beneficiaries.
“We are delighted to have once again been a part of the Hope Concerts,” said Tom Widener, Chairman of the Count Basie Theatre’s Board of Directors and Trustees. “It was a great, fun night at the Basie and we could not be more grateful to all the supporters in the audience, as well as to Bobby Bandiera and all the other musicians who donated their time and talents.”
December 23rd marked the first time two HOPE concerts were held on the same evening. 180 Turning Lives Around and the VNA Health Group were named beneficiaries of the first show, earning each organization $136,581. The evening’s second show benefitted Mary’s Place By The Sea in Ocean Grove and netted $267,823 for the cancer respite center.
“We are beyond grateful to our friends Bobby Bandiera, Jon Bon Jovi, John Cafferty, Gary U.S. Bonds, Tim McLoone, Jim Celestino and the countless other musicians who gave their time and talents to create the ‘…And Even More Hope’ concert, said Michele Ganon, Founder and President of Mary’s Place. “You all make it possible for us to give HOPE to even more women struggling with cancer at Mary’s Place by the Sea.”
“The Hope 8 concert was an amazing way for 180 to end an incredible year,” said Anna-Diaz White, Executive Director of 180 Turning Lives Around. “Funds raised through this concert give us the critical dollars needed to get our new emergency shelter ‘Safe House’ up and running as soon as next month.
This means more survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Monmouth County get the services they need as we start the New Year. We thank Bobby Bandiera, Jon Bon Jovi and all musicians and concert goers who made this event possible.”
“Visiting Nurse Association Health Group is enormously grateful for this generous gift that will be used to provide HOPE and compassionate care for New Jerseyans who might otherwise not access the health care services they need,” said Steven H. Landers, MD, MPH, President and CEO at VNA Health Group. “Thank you so much to everyone involved − the Count Basie Theatre board of trustees and directors, staff and volunteers, the performers especially Bobby Bandiera and concert attendees− for their extraordinary support, generosity and talent.”
In addition, $1 from every ticket from the early HOPE show, coupled with monies raised during an October effort on theBASIE.org, netted $16,000 for the theatre’s “Arts For All” initiative with the Red Bank Middle School.
“The Basie is a tremendous resource for this community,” said Jared Rumage, Superintendent of the Red Bank School district. “In our case, the students of Red Bank Middle School have received a comprehensive exposure to the arts as a result of our ongoing ‘Arts For All’ partnership with the theatre.”
“The annual HOPE concerts are the best way I know to give back to a community that has given so much to me, and to many others,” said Bobby Bandiera, who organizes and leads the band at each HOPE show. “This year’s beneficiaries go a long way to make our area vibrant, safe and healthy, and that has always been the spirit of HOPE.”
Since 2003, Bandiera’s HOPE concert series has raised more than $3 million for myriad of local causes, including Red Bank’s Parker Family Health Center, ALS research, the Valerie Fund, HORIZONS Student Enrichment Program and the non-profit Count Basie Theatre itself.
Bandiera returns to the Count Basie Theatre as leader of the Jersey Shore Rock N’ Soul Revue’s Tribute to Roy Orbison on Saturday, April 23, 2016. Tickets are on sale now via theBASIE.org.
For more information on HOPE, the Count Basie Theatre or related events, please contact Jon Vena, Director Of Marketing and Public Relations, Count Basie Theatre at jvena@theBASIE.org or 732.242-8778 ext. 107.