Posted September 21st, 2017
As cleanup begins from the August 25 landfall of catastrophic Hurricane Harvey and its week-long stay, the Texas and Red Dirt music community announces that it will utilize StayTexasStrong.com as the universal website to support Texas and Red Dirt music-centric relief efforts, and names the Rebuild Texas Fund as its charity of choice for relieving and restoring the Texas Gulf Coast.
Developed by Shauna and Sarah Dodds of Austin-based GRAMMY-award winning Backstage Design Studio, and led by professionals within the Texas and Red Dirt music community, the collaborative website will serve as a user-submitted aggregator of officially sanctioned relief concerts, donation drives, and goods for sale where fundraising can be maximized.
As charitable efforts continue surfacing across the state, StayTexasStrong.com serves as a centralized platform for communities to rally around their local event while having the promotion and support of the united Texas and Red Dirt music community.
Brendon Anthony, Director of the Texas Music Office in the Office of the Governor, a proponent of the deployment of this project, had this to say, “The Texas Music Office is extremely proud and supportive of the Texas Music Industry community and their efforts to rally financial and material support for fellow Texans affected by the Hurricane Harvey disaster. Through foundations like the Rebuild Texas Fund, we know that funds will remain in our state and flow to those who most need them during this difficult time of recovery and in the months and years to come.”
“By visiting StayTexasStrong.com and donating to rebuildtx.org those interested in involving themselves in these benefit efforts can be sure that their donations will make a lasting impact,” Anthony continues.
John Dickson, a leading organizer in the Texas and Red Dirt music community, has been an integral force in the mobilization of StayTexasStrong.com and is in awe of the unity that exists. “The commitments by these musicians to stand united is powerful and truly inspiring and another testament to their kindness and generosity to help others unconditionally in a time of crisis.” Dickson shares.
StayTexasStrong.com implores all musicians and venues hosting Harvey relief events to submit listings, news and goods directly through the website’s Event Submission Form. All submissions will be reviewed by a team of seasoned volunteers for inclusion on the site and will be promoted digitally to the fullest extent.
Venues, artists and fans are encouraged to use the StayTexasStrong.com logo and branding in association with their fundraising or simply to show their support and embracing the unified endeavor of the Texas and Red Dirt music community.
While fundraisers may designate their own charities StayTexasStrong.com recognizes the Rebuild Texas Fund as its charity of choice. Every penny raised goes directly to relief, recovery and rebuild efforts, with no administrative costs or service fees being allocated by fund dollars; all funds staywithin the state and are administered by professionals in the disaster relief field. For information or to donate, visit rebuildtx.org.
For more information or to submit your listing, visit staytexasstrong.com and show support on social media using the hashtag #StayTexasStrong.
About StayTexasStrong.com: StayTexasStrong.com is a united front of the Texas and Red Dirt music communities designed to aggregate music-related relief events through one collaborative website while promoting and maximizing fundraising efforts for disaster-torn communities.
About Rebuild Texas Fund: The Rebuild Texas Fund was launched immediately following the impact of Hurricane Harvey as a collaboration between the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation and the OneStar Foundation to support massive rebuilding and disaster recovery relief. The Fund donates 100 percent of all dollars directly to relief efforts and is not allocated towards any administrative costs. For more information or to donate, visit rebuildtx.org. Supporters can text RebuildTx to 91999 to donate instantly.