It has been argued so many times, that in order to fix a problem in a community, the members of that community must take action themselves to try to fix the problem and make their community great once more. That is exactly what the vocalist of hard-rock group Staind, Aaron Lewis, has done in his own rural New England community. After seeing three of the five elementary schools in his community close due to budget cuts, Aaron Lewis and his wife Vanessa created the “It Takes a Community Foundation.” The not-for-profit organization was founded to revive rural communities in the New England area. The foundation raises funds to support community groups, sustain diminishing public services and provide assistance to communities in crisis.
On August 14, 2010, the first annual It Takes a Community Foundation Concert helped open the private R.H. Conwell Education Center. The money from the first benefit concert along with some of Lewis’ own private funding helped open the center. With more and more budget cuts made to school funding every year, the It Takes a Community Foundation provided everything from desks and school supplies to the teachers salaries.
This year the It Takes a Community Foundation will hold its second annual concert at The Pines Theater at Look Park in Northampton, Massachusettson August 19th and 20th. The first day will feature country acts such as Rhett Akins, Frank Hannon (of TESLA) and Alexa Carter. The second date will feature rock acts such as TESLA, Corey Taylor (of SLIPKNOT and STONE SOUR), LO-PRO and OTAN VARGAS. Aaron Lewis, the founder of the organization, will perform at both shows.
Lewis continues to work to better his community through education as well as other programs that enrich rural communities in New England. In a recent interview Lewis stated, “We have seen firsthand the necessity for smaller communities to have a voice and to determine their own local needs and priorities. Our foundation strives to do just that–to build a collective of local community members and empower them to take charge of their own community’s future.”
It is very inspiring to see a musician such as Aaron Lewis taking matters into his own hands to improve his community. Hopefully his good deeds will inspire other musicians to do the same. Imagine how much money could be raised to help education programs if every music act, band, or singing group did a charity concert just once a year. It is usually the smallest steps that make the biggest impact, and hopefully the It Takes a Community Foundation Concert will inspire more musicians to see the problems in their communities and help with their music as well.
Visit the It Takes a Community Foundation Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/ITTAKESACOMMUNITY
Contact the Westchester Education News Examiner: WestchesterEdExaminer@gmail.com
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