FOURTH ANNUAL EVENT GIVES RECORD GIFT TO NONPROFIT PREVENTING AND ALLEVIATING HOMELESSNESS IN DECATUR AND DEKALB COUNTY

The nonprofit group Amplify My Community announced today that the 2019 Amplify Decatur Concert Series raised $45,000 for Decatur Cooperative Ministry (DCM), a Decatur-based, nonprofit organization that works to prevent and alleviate poverty and homelessness in Decatur and DeKalb County. Amplify Decatur has raised and donated $235,000 to DCM since 2011. This year’s $45,000 gift is the most an Amplify Concert Series has generated to date.

The April 12-14 concert series was presented by Lenz, a Decatur-based marketing agency, and produced in partnership with Eddie’s Attic, the Southeast’s premier music listening room.

On April 13, thousands gathered on the Downtown Decatur Square for the Amplify Decatur Musical Festival, the centerpiece of the series. Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Mavis Staples and two-time Grammy award winner Jeff Tweedy of Wilco topped a lineup, which also featured acclaimed singer-guitarist Julien Baker, Kevn Kinney of Drivin N Cryin, and Atlanta-based, jam-rock band The Bitteroots. Christine Mahin served as festival director for the third consecutive year.

A Saturday afternoon Q&A with actor Jon Hamm (“Mad Men,” “Baby Driver”) at Eddie’s Attic helped highlight the weekend. Amplify Decatur also featured a three-night stand at Eddie’s Attic with performances by David Lowery of Cracker, Var, Mike Killeen, Liz Vice, Zoser, Charlie Mars, Tom Mackell, and a Pearl Jam vs. Nirvana tribute night starring an array of local and regional acts.

Amplify My Community board president Drew Robinson said he is proud to be a part of such a strong community. “Our mission is to shine a spotlight of recognition on the incredible work DCM does in our community through the love of live music,” he said. “The success of Amplify Decatur is 100 percent attributed to the steadfast support from the City of Decatur, and our sponsors, volunteers, artists, and attendees.”

DCM executive director Marlene White said, “Decatur Cooperative Ministry is grateful to Amplify My Community, Lenz, Eddie’s Attic, and all the Amplify sponsors for their support of our programs to help families facing homelessness settle into safe, stable homes and build healthy lives filled with peace, hope, and opportunity. Funding and support from Amplify has helped DCM spread the word and shine the light during difficult times in the lives of our neighbors in need. We look forward to our continued partnership to fight homelessness and hunger in our community.”

Richard J. Lenz, president and CEO of Lenz, the presenting sponsor, said the event “checks a lot of boxes” for him. “Lenz has supported many causes, organizations, and events in Decatur since 1992, and what we look for locally is something that adds to the culture of Decatur, has a philanthropic purpose, and allows our company to make an impact using our talent, energy, and resources. My goal of building a successful music festival in Decatur is being achieved, thanks to so many.”

Platinum sponsors included: Leafmore Group, Natalie Gregory Sold, Oakhurst Realty Partners, Iris and Bruce Feinberg, WABE 90.1, Decatur Package Store, Creature Comforts Brewing Co., Three Taverns, and Savannah Distributing Company.

Gold sponsors included: Georgia Urology, Hall Booth Smith, Entercom, and ATL PBS.

The mission of Decatur Cooperative Ministry is to help families facing homelessness settle into safe, stable homes, and build healthy lives filled with peace, hope, and opportunity. A member of the City of Decatur community for 50 years, DCM provides families in crisis with 90 days of emergency shelter for women and children, six months of transitional housing for homeless families, permanent supportive housing for homeless families with disabilities, financial assistance for families facing eviction/utility disconnection, and emergency assistance for low-income veteran households. More information is available at DecaturCooperativeMinistry.org.

Based in Decatur, Georgia, Lenz partners with its clients to grow together. For more than two decades, Lenz’s specialized expertise has helped its clients reach their goals. Lenz offers the full range of digital and traditional marketing expertise, including brand strategy, advertising, PR, website development, inbound marketing, and more. More information is available at LenzMarketing.com.

Amplify My Community was founded in 2010 and is based in Decatur, Georgia. Its mission is to leverage the universal love of music to fight poverty at the local level. To date, Amplify has raised and donated nearly $350,000 in unrestricted gifts to locally oriented anti-homelessness and poverty-focused organizations — including $235,000 in Decatur. Amplify has held concert series in Atlanta, Athens, Decatur, Suwanee, and Duluth, Georgia; Asheville and Charlotte, North Carolina; Nashville, Tennessee; and Charlottesville, Virginia.

Grammy Award-nominated singer/songwriter Shawn Mullins returns to The Foundry on Saturday, August 3 as we rock out and raise money for Family Connections–Communities in Schools of Athens.

This year we’re excited to announce that Amplify Athens, presented by Amplify My Community, will feature two shows: Friday, August 2 and Saturday, August 3.

Friday night features Dylan LeBlanc and Jim White.
Saturday night features Shawn Mullins and Mike Killeen.

Buy tickets here!
Friday tickets
Saturday tickets

Every dollar raised will be directed to Family Connection-Communities in Schools of Athens. Family Connection-Communities in Schools is a partnership of more than 100 organizations in Athens-Clarke County working with families to research the needs of children and families in the community. The work of this organization has helped reduce teen pregnancy by 75 percent, increase the number of low-income students reading at grade level from 57 to 90 percent, and increase the graduation rate from 50 percent to over 80 percent. Former Police Chief Jack Lumpkin has declared Family Connection-Communites in Schools’ work to be the most important crime prevention measure in the county.