You are currently browsing the tag archive for the 'Compassion International' tag.
Responding to Ethiopia’s ongoing famine and the government’s urgent appeal for emergency aid to help 6.2 million people facing starvation, Compassion International is sending $1.4 million to the beleaguered nation.
Since March, Compassion has sent funds to the people of Ethiopia to address the acute issues of food source insecurity; the distribution of more funding is planned before year’s end. While the money will be used for direct food relief and medical supplies, a portion of the funds will also be used to help develop small businesses in the Ethiopian communities hardest hit by the food crisis.
“In these communities that are continuously dealing with food source issues, we are helping individuals to withstand and perhaps even avoid food crises in the long term – not just by helping them in the short term but also by supporting small business enterprises,” said Mark Hanlon, senior vice president of Compassion International, USA.
Compassion began its work in Ethiopia in 1993 and today serves 77,544 children at 321 child development centers. Compassion’s work in Ethiopia is part of its global effort to tackle the unforeseen barriers to a child’s healthy development. In some areas of Ethiopia where Compassion works, the food that registered children receive at the child development centers is all that sustains them.
“More than 25,000 children under the age of 5 in the developing world die every day of preventable causes such as dehydration and malnutrition,” said Hanlon. “Compassion’s mission is to release these children from poverty through a holistic approach that teaches them and their families to thrive, not just survive. This is what we’ve been doing in Ethiopia for the past 16 years.”
Compassion International is the world’s largest Christian child development organization that permanently releases children from poverty. Founded in 1952, Compassion successfully tackles global poverty one child at a time, serving more than 1 million children in 25 of the world’s poorest countries. Recognizing that poverty is more than a lack of money, Compassion works holistically through local churches to address the individual physical, economic, educational and spiritual needs of children, enabling them to thrive, not just survive. Charity Navigator, America’s largest charity evaluator, has awarded Compassion its highest rating – four stars – for eight consecutive years.
Artists Lend A Hand To Good Causes
Pictured on a trip to Guatemala on behalf of Compassion International (l-r): Carter’s Chord’s Joanna and Emily Robertson, recording artist Rob Blackledge, Carter’s Chord’s Becky Robertson and country music artist Megan Mullins.
Carter’s Chord joined fellow artists Megan Mullins and Rob Blackledge, and media professionals on a September trip to Guatemala on behalf of Compassion International, a child development ministry working to release the world’s poorest kids from poverty.
From MUSIC ROW. See the complete article here. Photo: Mike Severson
CALIFORNIA RESIDENT PEDALS MORE THAN 4,200 MILES TO HELP IMPOVERISHED CHILDREN THROUGH COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL
Fulfilling a lifelong dream to cycle across the United States, 57-year-old Debbie Davis rode from coast to coast this summer while raising thousands of dollars for her favorite charity, Compassion International, the world’s largest child development organization that releases children from poverty through one-to-one child sponsorship.
Starting in Anacortes, Wash., with their back tires in the Pacific Ocean, Davis and six others finished the 4,259-mile trek with their front tires in the Atlantic Ocean in Bar Harbor, Maine, 72 days later. Called the Northern Tier, the route took them through 11 states and parts of Canada. The seven cyclists belong to the cycling club Pendleton on Wheels, based in Pendleton, Ore. Davis and her husband, both longtime residents of Linden, Calif., live part time in Pendleton.
Davis, a retired therapist from the Lodi Unified School District, has sponsored children through Compassion for 16 years. She currently sponsors a 12-year-old girl in Ethiopia and a 16-year-old boy in Thailand. To raise funds for Compassion, she sent out letters to everyone she knew telling them about the trip.
“In my letter, I explained the trip for me wouldn’t be complete without raising funds and awareness for my favorite charity — Compassion International,” Davis said. “I wanted everyone to know that Compassion is a trustworthy charity doing wonderful work around the globe.”
Davis, who raised $3,000 for Compassion, plans to donate the funds to community projects where her sponsored children live.
The cyclists averaged 70 to 75 miles per day with only six or seven days for rest. The trip, which began June 7 and ended Aug. 18, wasn’t without a few difficulties.
“During the trip, we encountered harsh riding conditions and rudimentary accommodations as we had no choice but to camp 63 of the days,” said Davis. “While on my bike, I couldn’t stop thinking about the millions of children and their families who live in much worse conditions than this on a daily basis.”
Wess Stafford, president and CEO of Compassion, praised Davis for her efforts.
“Debbie’s dedication is a wonderful example of the passion and spirit of the more than 500,000 Compassion sponsors across America,” Stafford said. “We congratulate her on a job well done and thank her for her dedication to releasing children from poverty in Jesus’ name.”
Although Davis loved the experience, she doubts she will take on such a big endeavor again. She may, however, consider shorter two- to three-week trips to raise funds for Compassion.
Compassion International is the world’s largest Christian child development organization that permanently releases children from poverty. Founded in 1952, Compassion successfully tackles global poverty one child at a time, serving more than 1 million children in 26 of the world’s poorest countries. Recognizing that poverty is more than a lack of money, Compassion works holistically through local churches to address the individual physical, economic, educational and spiritual needs of children, enabling them to thrive, not just survive. Charity Navigator, America’s largest charity evaluator, has awarded Compassion its highest rating — four stars — for eight consecutive years.
I’m quite excited about the trip we are departing on today. A Compassion trip to Guatemala to visit child development programs and see first hand how children and families are being rescued from their dire circumstances. I already know what to expect having been on a few of trips, but the impact nevertheless will always be the same no matter how many I eventually journey on. Heartbreak, joy, hunger, hope, poverty, faithfulness, weakness, courage, and a multitude of emotions and sensations. Brutal poverty will punch you in the gut and things change. Change for the good in you, in me, and in the lives of these children.
Just tonight I was talking with our adoptive daughter about her life in Ethiopia. She tells us random stories and we have been trying to weave them together in some sort of time frame and context. The better she speaks English, the more we are understanding and putting the pieces into place. So tonight’s story was about how her and her Ethiopian mother didn’t have any food to eat and were hungry all the time. She said that they both would ask for money along side the road so they could go buy food. They were begging. A common sight in Ethiopia, but to imagine our daughter in dirty clothes from the dusty roads, holding her mother’s hand and just looking for their next meal, well…….how that will hit me when I see it in Guatemala I just don’t know. But that’s reality and that’s life in these poverty stricken countries.
It will impact everyone on our trip differently depending on their own story and what touches their heart. I look forward to telling you stories from this adventure and have even more anticipation of hearing what our artist, radio, and industry guests have to tell.
I’m proud and excited to have Megan Mullins, Carter’s Chord, Rob Blackledge and John Bollinger as our artist guests. Musical artists have so much influence to inform and encourage people to act. Radio obviously does as well and it will be great to finally travel with KKGO PD and Compassion advocate Tonya Campos. I’m also thrilled to have industry pros like Megan Smith and Denise Roberts, who have already been supporters of Compassion, join in the mix.
I don’t know who will be blogging, twittering, or updating Facebook, but I will certainly try along the way. In the meantime check out more about Compassion and intentionally look up the children from Guatemala that are needing a sponsor. We may very well be hugging on their neck and playing games with them.
Next Thursday an amazing crew of artists and radio folks will be traveling to Guatemala with Compassion International. We will be in the country for 3 days visiting with local staff, volunteers, families, and children in the program.
Compassion’s work in Guatemala began in 1976. Currently, more than 33,300 children participate in 140 child development centers.
The following map shows the location on those centers.
Next week I will be documenting the preparation for the trip and facts that you may not know about Guatemala.
I recently did a 10 Questions feature with All Access and it is being featured on their site this week. I’m re-posting it here, not to be self serving, but to continue to highlight the amazing work Compassion is doing and the way we are connecting with country artists, radio, and industry partners. This is the time to impact the world.
If you have a question that I did not get asked here, then please feel free to contact me.
 |
|
NAME: Mike Severson
TITLE: Artist & Radio Relations for Country format
COMPANY: Compassion International
BORN: Cedar Rapids, Iowa
RAISED: Inola, Oklahoma
|
Please outline your career so far:
1988 – 1994 Radio (KWEN and KCKI in Tulsa, OK)
1994 – 2002 MCA Nashville
2003 – 2004 All Access Music
2004 – 2005 Rounder Records
2005 – 2008 Midas Records
2008 – present Compassion International & Freelance Consulting/Promotion/Marketing
1. Last time we spoke with you was 2005 and you were working for Rounder Records. Catch us up on what has been going on in your life for the past few years.
Wow, it’s been too long since we have spoken! I went from Rounder directly to being hired by Bob Reeves as we helped launch Midas Records in early 2006. Worked some great music and artists, but the roller coaster ride ended in July 2008. From there I had a short stint at another indie label and most recently was hired by Compassion International this past December as their consultant in the Country format.
2. Tell us what Compassion International is and a little bit about the company’s history and focus.
Compassion International is a Christian child development ministry dedicated to helping children in need around the world through one-on-one sponsorships. Compassion’s programs help release children from poverty and enable them to become responsible, fulfilled adults. They offer educational opportunities, health care and health-related instruction, nutrition, life-skills training, social activity, and spiritual growth. As for the history, Compassion was founded in 1952 and now serves over 1 million children in 26 countries around the world. The organization is also involved in other critical areas of need including, but not limited to, disease prevention, fighting hunger, clean water projects, disaster relief, HIV/AIDS initiatives, and the global food crisis. You can check out more at www.compassion.com.
3. What exactly is your role with Compassion?
I am essentially artist and radio relations for the Country format. I am currently educating and forming relationships with artists and radio stations that are interested in partnering with Compassion on a world-wide basis. I will then be the Country point person for those artists and stations for strategic planning and implementation.
4. Compassion International has been pretty visible in the Christian music format for a while now, correct? What made the company decide to move into the Country format as well?
It just feels like a natural progression. The two formats share an enormous amount of listeners, target demos, and there is a foundational element of Faith in our format. Country artists, radio, listeners, and fans have huge hearts as well and there is incredible opportunity to make an impact on children around the world while letting our format shine beyond our preconceived borders and notions. The bottom line though is that I believe Country music can have a life changing impact on the lives of hundreds of thousands of children around the globe.
5. You have been working this job for about six months now, what has the response been from the Country music community?
I am thrilled at the response and the interest. There are so many artists, radio stations, and industry professionals that are looking to connect with an organization who is involved with fighting extreme poverty and where they can make a direct impact on a child in need. Sometimes it is difficult to know what organization to support and identify where the money is actually going. But when they see how Compassion does not indiscriminately throw money at a problem, but through direct one-on-one sponsorships is lifting kids and families out of deep poverty, it gives them an opportunity to see that the monthly contribution from the sponsor is truly helping their specific child. It also is a plus that Compassion has a 30+ year history in the music industry and knows how to build relationships and connect the dots. That’s huge.
6. You recently had the opportunity to visit El Salvador with Valory Music Co. group Emerson Drive. Tell us about that experience.
Compassion actively takes artists and radio folks who are interested in a partnership on actual trips. Typically a 3-4 day journey to Central or South America, although Africa and India are possible for those who want to dive into at least a week-long trip. Spence Smith (Compassion artist rep) and I were excited to take the Emerson Drive guys down to Central America to get a first hand experience of what Compassion is all about and see the work they do. We visited a few of the 150 Compassion programs within the heart of the communities in El Salvador. We met the children, staff, volunteers, and the families of some of the kids. The band also had the opportunity to walk the streets and visit the homes of families in these impoverished communities who live in the midst of brutal circumstances that we in the States cannot imagine. Since I was already friends with the guys in the band, I knew they had big hearts, but seeing all of this with their own eyes really made it hit home. They can now communicate what they have experienced, what Compassion actively does to change lives, and how people can get involved.
7. How can radio stations and Country artists partner with Compassion?
There are a number of ways artists can partner through incentive programs, fan clubs, social networking, live shows, CD inserts, text campaigns, and countless other relevant ways. Radio had the opportunity to partner through special events as KKGO/Los Angeles did last September. Compassion has worked with over 350 radio stations in various campaigns and combined that experience with the passion of PD Tonya Campos to set up a full day event to help find sponsors for waiting children. Tonya took a trip to Nicaragua where she met her own sponsored child and also recorded video and audio content for the event. See some of that here. The results were so successful and powerful that they have booked another event for early 2010. Compassion provides a detailed turn-key tool kit and also is willing to offer extra revenue and compensation opportunities for participating stations. It’s a complete win for everyone involved. It’s also a very flexible model for each individual station based on their market and needs. Other opportunities could involve active web content to not only drive traffic to the site, but also generate non-traditional revenue.
8. I know you have been involved with Compassion for quite some time as a sponsor, but what made you want to take that step and work for the company? You must have had a strong belief in the company and in the people involved in Country music to make the change.
I have sponsored a child from Brazil for 6 years. During that time we have written to one another and sent photos back and forth. She draws and colors pictures for me that I can hang up in our home. When I look at her photo I know that my monthly donation is going to help her get an education, medical attention, nutrition, and social and spiritual development. Things she would never have without my help. I’ve seen so many examples of kids who came into the program with no hope of life to graduating high school and college. I investigated how Compassion operates and how consistently high it is rated with the charity watchdog groups. Plus having artists I know and respect giving their support was a factor as well. When I started talking with the people at Compassion about the potential move into Country I wanted to help out however I could. I believe in this amazing organization more than I have believed in any record I have worked. I love the music industry and this community, but I also was at a place where I desired to make an impact on lives of those in severe poverty and suffering. I’ve never seen an organization do it better than Compassion.
9. What exciting things do you have coming up with Compassion within the Country music community in the near future?
Many ideas and plans are in the works. Obviously taking artists and radio who are interested in partnering with Compassion on trips to see first hand the work Compassion does. We are taking the model that is working successfully for KKGO and calling on other stations to join in this worldwide impact of children and families. There are artists who are excited about partnering with Compassion and we are talking with them about how they want to be involved since the possibilities are endless. Compassion is excellent at the aspect of relationship and helping to design something that works for each music industry partner whether it is in our sponsorship or child development programs or cause specific like HIV/AIDS, malaria, clean water, and global food crisis initiatives.
10. If you could pick any artist in Country music involved with Compassion, who would you chose?
Obviously I would love to have any artist that has a heart for this and is interested in what Compassion is doing. Each and every artist has something special to offer through their music, personality, passion, and experience. For obvious reasons artists like Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, and Taylor Swift come to mind. Their fan base alone could make an unimaginable impact on the lives of tens of thousands of children in deep poverty. Country radio has that same enormous potential.
Bonus Questions
1. To go from record label promotion person to working for a non-profit Christian agency must be quite a leap. What skills that you learned as a promo guy have come in handy in your new job?
It may appear to be a leap from the surface, but I’m still the same person. I came into this business because I had a passion for artists and music, not necessarily to be a label rep. That passion continues even stronger today as I combine it with a purpose to be involved in something relevant that positively impacts and transforms lives.
2. You have been on two Compassion trips now, right? Where have you been and where are you planning to go next?
I traveled to Honduras in February, El Salvador in March, and Ghana is in the works for August. Guatemala has just been confirmed for September 3-6 with Tonya Campos, Carter’s Chord, Megan Mullins, pop artist Rob Blackledge, and any other radio station or artist that is interested in exploring a partnership. Africa is being tossed around for December or January as well. We are also open to designing trips around artist’s schedules who are sincerely interested in making the journey. Any takers? It will blow you away.
Jeff Foxworthy’s Daughter Helps Save Children from the Ravages of Malaria
Laughter is a way of life for the Jeff Foxworthy family, but after a visit to Africa by his now 17-year-old daughter Jordan, the Foxworthy’s dinner table conversations became deadly serious.
During her trip to Kenya three years ago, a then 14-year-old Jordan saw first-hand the devastation caused by malaria, a preventable, curable disease that kills more African children than does HIV/AIDS. With the support of her parents, she decided to bite back against the mosquitoes that typically carry malaria.
Jordan teamed up with Colorado-based Compassion International to develop the BiteBack Campaign, an initiative that raises money and awareness for the fight against malaria. Mobilizing an army of young people, the BiteBack Campaign challenges teens to donate $10 to purchase a mosquito net that could save the life of a child at risk for contracting malaria. To date, Jordan’s efforts have raised nearly half a million dollars for the BiteBack campaign.
“We can’t sit back and wait for someone to fix this. We are the ‘someones’ who need to fix this,“ said Jordan, a high school junior in Atlanta. “I believe that giving $10 to buy a mosquito net is a tangible and affordable way for kids in the United States to help make a difference in the lives of needy kids around the world.”
Jordan is using a number of strategies to raise support for the campaign. At her urging, her Atlanta-area school has taken on BiteBack as its fundraising project. Jordan also enlisted local restaurants to host BiteBack Nights, where a portion of the evening’s sales were donated to the campaign. She is also using a Facebook group page to help get the word out. In recognition of her efforts, Jordan was invited by the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives to participate as a panelist in their Compassion in Action roundtable last December.
“Jordan Foxworthy is showing us that even in these tough economic times, giving a little can have a big impact on a child living in poverty,” said Mark Hanlon, senior vice president of Compassion International.
Compassion International tackles unforeseen barriers to a child’s healthy development-including widespread health epidemics such as malaria. Compassion’s Malaria Intervention Program provides mosquito nets, malaria prevention education and access to medical treatment for children in malaria-affected areas.
Compassion International is the world’s largest Christian child development organization that permanently releases children from poverty. Founded in 1952, Compassion successfully tackles global poverty one child at a time, serving more than 1 million children in 25 of the world’s poorest countries. Recognizing that poverty is more than a lack of money, Compassion works holistically through local churches to address the individual physical, economic, educational and spiritual needs of children-enabling them to thrive, not just survive. Charity Navigator, America’s largest charity evaluator, has awarded Compassion its highest rating-four stars-for seven consecutive years.
Following is an example of one of the many ways Compassion International partners with radio and artists to help the most impoverished children and families around the world:
Nearly 1,000 Radio Stations Across the Country Join Forces with Compassion International in an Effort to Stamp Out Hunger Among the World’s Poorest
News of an economy in crisis did not stop tens of thousands of Americans from generously responding on March 11 to appeals from Compassion International and nearly 1,000 radio stations asking for help to feed the world’s poorest families during the Global Food Crisis.
From California to New York, radio stations flooded the air waves, designated as Global Food Crisis Awareness Day by Compassion, with one simple message: “Thousands of children are dying needlessly of hunger every day, and you can do something about it.” Some 27,000 listeners responded by giving $3.1 million-far exceeding the original goal of $1 million. Some highlights of the day include the following:
- The Fish (Salem Broadcasting) in Nashville featured Point of Grace on air talking about the Global Food Crisis and asking listeners to help.
- A listener going through tough times shared that he is on food stamps. Then through tears, talked about how hearing what millions of hungry people are going through opened his eyes to how much he has. He pledged to donate half of his recent twenty-five dollar raise to help feed a child.
- A listener from Missouri called to say she wanted to share a portion of a settlement she received and pledged $60,000 to help the kids affected by the Global Food Crisis.
- A deli owner pledged to donate 100% of all cash profits on March 11.
“The way in which these stations and their supporters have answered the call to care for the poor is overwhelming,” said Wess Stafford, president and CEO of Compassion International. “They have demonstrated the true meaning of the word compassion.”
Global Facts
* One person in seven goes to bed hungry every day.
* One-third of the world’s population is undernourished.
* There are 25,000 starvation-related deaths each day.
* Each night more than 300 million children go to bed hungry.
* Every day, over 12,000 children (one every 7 seconds) die from hunger-related causes.
* Approximately 146 million or 27 percent of children under age 5 in developing countries are underweight.
* Nearly 17 percent of babies in developing countries are born with a low birth weight compared with only 7 percent of babies in industrialized countries.
* More than 4.4 million children die from malnutrition each year.
* Worldwide, 161 million preschool children suffer chronic malnutrition.
Sources: www.one.org, www.bread.org, www.unicef.org, www.who.int, www.unep.org
The Compassion International trip to El Salvador was another amazing and overwhelming view into the lives of children and families being impacted and changed. Emerson Drive had the opportunity to see it all first hand and bring smiles to the faces of hundreds of kids.
The first Compassion project we visited was just outside of San Salvador in the forested communities of Reparto Santa Elana and San Martin. Upon our arrival we were greeted by all of the children who were in lines on each side of us. As we walked down the middle between them, they were singing, clapping their hands, giving us hugs, and shaking our hands. It is something evident in each Compassion project I have visited – the anticipation and joy they have in making us feel welcome. They love to have visitors and do all they can to bring smiles to our faces even though we are there for them.
The kids performed a presentation for us full of music and dancing. We then broke off into three groups for an hour or so where all of us played soccer, worked on art projects, or sang songs. I tried to get involved with all three at different times. The boys and girls were so incredible. We then served them lunch, took a group photo, and said our goodbyes. Hugs of course too.
Following the visit to the Compassion project, our travel group took a walk to one of the homes in the neighborhood. A single mom and her five children, two of which were in the project we visitied. The photos below communicate their circumstances better than I could in writing. This was a home of deep rooted poverty, but Compassion was helping provide food, education, activities, and medical care to the entire family. This in turn brings hope…..and the hope a future.
The second project visit day was in the Pacific Coast community of Puerto de La Libertad, home to approximately 40,000 residents. When the bus pulled up outside of this Compassion project we could hear the children singing and clapping inside the auditorium. They were ready for us. The Emerson Drive guys walked in and it was like they were at a sold out show as the crowd of kids exploded in cheers. They weren’t cheering because they knew anything about the band or country music. They just knew that people with Compassion were there to meet them and to visit their project. They were honoring us exactly like the other projects do and it overwhelms.
The first thing these kids did for us was set up a band on stage. Singers, guitars, drums, keyboard….the works. They then proceeded to play several songs and commence church. It was a moving display of their appreciation for us and their devotion to God. Authentic and undefiled.
Our crew then visited each classroom where the children were participating – computer, cosmotology, educational classes, music, and seemstressing. Compassion not only provides school resources and instruction, but gives the kids an opportunity to learn a trade in the event they don’t make it to college. In either case a way out of poverty and incredibly difficult circumstances. It also keeps them off very dangerous gang filled streets where the influence to join is strong.
Our visit to families in their homes followed and we saw more of the same suffering. Severely impoverished neighborhoods with families living in one or two rooms. One of the homes consisted of three families in three rooms. Multiple children in one bed with their parent(s) in another. No running water, open sewage in streams and ditches, and unreliable electricity. Also the constant fear of brutal gang activity in their communities.
In each of the home visits we asked the children if they had the letters their Compassion sponsor has written them and they knew right where the papers were. With smiles on their faces they proudly retrieve them from safe keeping and show us the letters and photos of the individual or family that sponsors them. It is a relationship they cherish and are thankful for because they know it is because of their sponsors support that they are able to attend the Compassion project. The one place they can dream about what they want to be when they grow up, to get a healthy meal, and find the support they need in critical areas of their young lives.
The emotions stay ripe and fluctuate between the harshness of poverty and the joys of hope. Not only being present to see it, but to smell, taste, touch, and hear what these children and families experience on a daily basis. And the holistic way in which Compassion International works within countries, communities, and churches to lift children out of poverty and give them the real opportunity to break the cycle and thrive. To help them attain a high school and, in some cases, a college education. Something they and their families would never have dreamed possible.
This is what we saw and the results will reverberate. There will be a story about Emerson Drive’s experience in a forthcoming issue of Country Weekly. They will also be talking about it in the weeks and months to come because these are things we are compelled to tell. I look forward to partnering with the guys from the band. They have big hearts and are great men to know, not to mention incredibly talented artists.
We will have more news soon about artists who are partnering with Compassion in various ways. Country music is full of artists and professionals who love to help local charities, but also see the big picture when it comes to a world in critical need. I continue to look forward with passion to help align those with a desire to help to having a genuine life changing impact on child.
For more photos of the trip please go to HERE.
Nashville, TN- The Valory Music Co./Midas Records artists Emerson Drive are teaming up with Compassion International for a trip to El Salvador with Compassion executives on March 23-26.
“I am thrilled to have Emerson Drive join us on this trip to El Salvador and help build a significant partnership between country music and Compassion International. I know first hand what incredible guys they are and believe this trip will not only be an important experience for the band, but will help give hope and a future to children in desperate poverty around the world,” says Mike Severson, Country Format Artist & Radio Relations for Compassion International.
Emerson Drive is the first country band to ever become involved with Compassion International and they are excited about the upcoming opportunity to learn more about Compassion’s mission to release children from poverty in developing countries around the globe.
“One of the best things that we get to do as entertainers is support great charity organizations like Compassion International,” states lead singer Brad Mates. “This trip will give us a first hand look at life in third world countries and I have no doubt that it will leave a lasting impact on us individually and as a band. We’re excited about the partnership with Compassion and doing whatever we can to raise awareness about their child sponsorship program.”
While in El Salvador Emerson Drive will visit with Compassion staff on the ground as well as some of the children benefiting from the support of one-on-one sponsorships. The band has invited photographers from Country Weekly and an independent film crew to accompany them on the trip to document their journey. The footage gathered from the group’s visit will be utilized in a viral video campaign in conjunction with the song, “There’s My God,” a track that will be included on Emerson Drive’s upcoming album BELIEVE, due in stores later this year.
Emerson Drive continues to brainstorm with Compassion executives on additional opportunities to increase the number of child sponsors with hopes of involving their growing fan base and country radio. The guys in the band hope that their involvement will garner more awareness about Compassion International as well as encourage people to sponsor a child or make a donation to this worthwhile organization.
Compassion International was founded on the belief that changing the lives of children in third world countries by providing them with the basic needs and education to help them overcome poverty will empower them and ultimately change their communities and nations. According to statistics, of the world’s 6.3 billion people, nearly 30 percent are under the age of 15. In most developing countries, children comprise half of the population, yet almost 11 million children each year – about 30,000 a day – die before reaching their fifth birthday, mostly from preventable causes. Compassion strives to influence a child’s life at the earliest stages possible, and support the child’s development through young adulthood. Those interested in finding out more about Compassion or how you can help can visit www.compassion.com.
For more information about the Emerson Drive and to see video clips from their life out on the road, which will include an episode from their El Salvador trip beginning in April, log on to www.emersondrive.com or visit www.myspace.com/emersondrive.
Country Radio Seminar is upon us again and I always look forward to a week of seeing old friends, making new ones, and coming together as an industry. We are in times of unprecedented challenges and opportunities. Will we face them head on or only discuss how bad everything is? That’s really for you to decide. I encourage you to attend the keynote with Seth Godin if you have not planned on it yet. It will be a great way to begin the week.
As for weather, it is looking pretty good. No rain or snow in the forecast thus far except for the travel home on Saturday.
For the complete Nashville weather rundown go HERE.
By the way, there is still room for anyone involved within the country music industry who would like to attend the Compassion International event tomorrow night (3/3). We are set to have a wonderful mix of artists, managers, PR, label, and radio professionals. Contact me if you are interested in finding out more about Compassion and enjoying a nice dinner.
I have to start by saying thank you to all the folks at Compassion International. I have worked on many charity events in my 30+ year radio career but never went on such a personally life changing trip as I did when I went to Nicaragua in September 2008. This trip wore me out emotionally and yet I know Compassion International people are sent all over the world on much longer and much more emotionally draining trips than the one I went on and continue to travel on an endless journey of compassion without faltering. It is an amazing charity.
I am now the proud sponsor of two children that I met on this trip, Tatiana and Veronica. Many people ask what the country music community could gain from helping children in far away countries and it is a simple answer I always give. FAMILY. Just as the country music community and country radio and all the fans of country around the USA are so committed and caring about their families, so are families in these countries visited by Compassion International. They too care immensely for their families and their children’s well being.
I strongly believe this is an international parallel that can be bridged by just being made aware that the family makeup is one that is strictly separated only by geography. By taking these boundaries away we begin to see that a hungry child is a hungry child. Period.
I encourage everyone to see a Compassion International presentation or go on a trip to meet these children yourself. For me too, they were once faces I saw late at night on the television or an ad in magazine or some flyer I had mixed in with my daily mail. But meeting them, seeing their eyes and hearing their voices made “it” (the problems we all turn away from) very real and there is nothing more motivating on the planet than seeing something bigger than life within a few feet of you. That “something bigger than life” is POVERTY. I only hope that if anyone in my family is ever in the position many of these families are in that they receive the same help Compassion International gives.
Why shouldn’t that be the country music community offering to lend a hand? Let’s challenge ourselves individually to offer help. Meet one of these children and BOTH arms would automatically open, regardless of where they are from.
Tonya Campos is Program Director and air personality for KKGO/Los Angeles. She has a long radio history in California and the Los Angeles area.
The following videos are from Tonya’s trip with Compassion International to Nicaragua prior to the Compassion event last year on KKGO:
For more information go to www.compassion.com/country
Tomorrow morning I leave for Honduras with a group from Compassion International. We will be traveling there to tour a couple of the projects Compassion has set up. We’ll visit the children and families who are being directly helped by their Compassion sponsors and witness the impact that personal relationship has on releasing the grip of poverty in their lives. There are also plans to walk through some of the neighborhoods where I know we will find roots of deep poverty. How deep I can only guess, but that is part of the reason for going. To see it with my own eyes and let it sink into my skin.
I have witnessed desperate poverty in Africa. Gotten to know and cried over street kids and orphans who are its innocent victims. Seen the ravage results of AIDS, genocide, severe malnutrition, parasites, malaria, and other diseases. Incredible situations you will never find in the United States. Poverty in our country is nothing at all compared to developing countries around the world. If you have never seen it, it would shock you. And we all need to be shocked.
I’m going to witness more of it over the next few days, but I will also see the hope and restoration that Compassion gives children and families. Not only to provide for their needs, but to give them the genuine opportunity to break out of the poverty that has held them captive through the monthly support of individual sponsors. Over one million children around the world are being lifted up and out of their circumstances.
I look forward to reporting back from the trip and sharing how the country music community can link with this amazing organization and make a massive impact on the lives of countless other children. Compassion International has a long and rich history within the music industry and there is incredible opportunity for artists, radio, media, and industry professionals to partner along and get involved. It is a very critical time to reach out to a world in need and Compassion knows how to connect the dots and make it happen.
For those of you involved in the country music business, you can get more information here. The rest of you can get further info on Compassion International here.
We’re just getting started, so check back for more updates. Please contact me with any questions you might have.
From All Access Music Group:
1720 ENTERTAINMENT/NASHVILLE Regional Promotions MIKE SEVERSON has joined forces with COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL to serve as their Country Format Consultant on a part-time basis. COMPASSION is a Christian child advocacy ministry that seeks to find one-on-one sponsorships of children in severely impoverished nations. Currently, over one million children are receiving food, medical care, education and shelter because of their sponsors.
In his new role, SEVERSON will be working to recruit radio stations and artists to serve as advocates for COMPASSION and to get the word out to listeners and fans. MT. WILSON BROADCASTING Country KKGO/LOS ANGELES was the first Country station to partner with COMPASSION by holding a radiothon last SEPTEMBER where 250 listeners signed up to sponsor children. PD TONYA CAMPOS visited NICARAGUA last year and learned firsthand of the devastation and the desperation. Read more about her trip here.
To learn more about COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL visit www.compassion.com. To find out how your station or artist can help contact SEVERSON at mikeseverson@comcast.net.
We are always reminded to be thankful on Thanksgiving and what we are to be grateful for. It’s a good thing to do, but this should not be a once a year event; we should be practicing being thankful every single day of our lives.
The obvious stuff always makes the list – family, friends, health, etc., but so many blessings we overlook. I think about my trip to Africa during the summer and it once again reminds me of all the things we take for granted in this country. Water, food, clothing, electricity, shelter, shoes……a list of basic needs of life we do not lack for. My eyes open up again to the stark reality of this world.
Aren’t you thankful that you can have a hope and a future? The same can’t be said for many people we came across during our trip. They didn’t even know what the word “hope” meant. There was no word in their language that would translate it because hope has never existed. It is more like a dream or fantasy – something that they could never actually have.
I just read a post from author John Fischer on being thankful:
It’s hard to think of one vice that the virtue of thankfulness cannot render useless. One does not need to steal when one is thankful. A man does not covet his neighbor’s home when he is thankful for his own. No one craves more when he is grateful for what he has.
You don’t care if you get the important seat at the table when you are overcome with gratitude at simply being invited to the dinner. You don’t put heavy weights on other people’s shoulders when you are thankful that God has lightened your own load. You don’t have to try for the highest place when you are already grateful for whatever place you were given.
In the same way, a thankful heart cancels out pride and arrogance. No need to judge other people when you are thankful for who you are. No need to measure yourself by and compare yourself to others when you are thankful for what God has done in your life.
The point is to be thankful on a daily basis and to be mindful of it always. It’s amazing what a good consistent dose of thankfulness and gratitude can do for not just our own lives, but those who come in contact with us.
Be thankful you can have a future full of hope. And that you have the ability to give hope to others as well. There are many ways to help those in desperate need around the world. You may know of an organization that will put your thankfulness to good use, but if you are open to suggestions, please give strong consideration to Compassion International. You will find no better organization that gives hope to children and families.
Have a blessed Thanksgiving holiday and remember to be thankful on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and all the days forward.
We are less than a week away from going to Africa and look forward to doing what we can. The numbers sound overwhelming: Over 4.5 million orphans in Ethiopia and over 1.5 million in Rwanda. Most due to AIDS and poverty. We will visit and care for who we can and hopefully that will make some sort of difference as we experience all of it first hand.
I’ve talked to many people in the last few weeks who said they wish they could go and do something, but are unable to for various reasons. The thing is, you don’t really have to physically go to make a difference. There are other ways to directly impact lives. One in particular is through the amazing charity Compassion International.
This is Debora. She is my “daughter” from South America. I am fortunate to be her Compassion International sponsor. We have been communicating with each other for over 5 years now. She will send me notes and colored drawings and I will send her letters and photos. She is one of over a 1.5 million children from 24 countries around the world who have been “adopted” by sponsors. There are countless more precious kids who are waiting for someone to be their sponsor so they can have a hope and a future.
Compassion International at their core is a Christian advocacy ministry that releases children from spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty and enables them to become responsible, fulfilled adults. They are also actively involved in fighting AIDS and Malaria around the world.
I’m glad to have the opportunity to help Debora with a modest monthly contribution and I have a feeling when Amy and I get back from Africa, we will be looking into more sponsorships.
If you have a heart for children and want to directly help the innocent who are suffering around the world, please look into Compassion. Go to their website at www.compassion.com. They have many ways in which you can make a difference.
Even in the planning of this trip Amy and I have found many amazing ways individuals can reach out and touch the lives of those who desperately need it. I will share more of those in the weeks to come.
