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.

Amplify My Community and Amplify Decatur have had so many incredible supporters through the years, but none greater than Decatur Package Store.

On May 31 and June 1, they are hosting two very special events, which will do so much to help Amplify continue leveraging the universal love of music to fight homelessness at the local level.

Here’s a note from DPS owner, and our great supporter, Herb Chereck:

I’m happy to announce that our 2019 Van Winkle auction to benefit Amplify My Community will be happening at Decatur Package Store on Friday, May 31 at 9 a.m. and Saturday, June 1 at 9 a.m. Just in time for Father’s Day.

I didn’t receive enough product this year for a dinner, so the charity will be selling the items directly. I’ve listed the products below with their sales price. You’ll pay the charity directly, receive a donation letter, if you chose, and receive the product. Pretty simple and your karma will be off the charts!

Rules: Form an ORDERLY line at the store. Limit 1 bottle per customer. Any unsold bottles on Friday will be added to Saturday. Be nice – this is a charity event.

I’ve donated all the product to Amplify My Community, so 100% OF PROCEEDS will be given to Amplify My Community. 

I encourage you to learn about this local charity and the good they’re doing. Even if you don’t participate in the auction, you can still donate.

Thank you!

-Herb

Friday Auction Items – 19 bottles
2018 George T Stagg 62.45% – $500
2018 Old Rip Van Winkle 10yr – $425
2018 Van Winkle 12yr – $500
2018 Van Winkle 15yr – $1250
2018 Van Winkle 20yr – $2100
2018 Four Roses 130^th Small Batch Limited Edit. – $350
2018 Elijah Craig 18yr – $300
2018 Parker’s Heritage – $150

Saturday Auction Items – 20 bottles
2018 George T Stagg 62.45% – $500
2018 Thomas Handy Rye 64.4% – $450
2018 Old Rip Van Winkle 10yr – $425
2018 Van Winkle 12yr – $500
2018 Van Winkle 15yr – $1250
2018 Van Winkle 23yr – $2300
2018 Four Roses 130^th Small Batch Limited Edit. – $350
2018 Elijah Craig 18yr – $300
2018 Elijah Craig 23yr – $400
2018 Parker’s Heritage – $150

Amplify My Community is proud to present a new twist on its Vs. series: “Indigo Girls + Dixie Chicks,” a celebration of two of the greatest groups of songwriters and musicians of their generation, who happen to be comprised entirely of women. Instead of pitting them against each other in a Vs. format, we’re going to celebrate their common causes, cultural impact, and greatness by asking some of Atlanta and the region’s best artists to interpret their songs for you. Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door.

Join us:

Friday, November 2
Eddie’s Attic
Doors: 7:00 p.m. / Show: 8:00 p.m.

Make sure to get your tickets HERE for an unforgettable night of music!

The event is generously sponsored by Leafmore Group and Plumb Works.

Amplify Pisgah is returning July 27 with The Mavericks in Black Mountain, NC!

Join us under the stars for a night filled with beer and music at Pisgah Brewing Company. All proceeds from the event will benefit Pisgah Legal Services and its programs, which help thousands in the community annually. 

Pisgah Legal Services is a nonprofit law firm founded in 1978, providing free civil legal aid to people who live in poverty, and helping more than 15,000 of the most vulnerable people in the community meet urgent needs such as: housing, safety from abuse, health care, and income. They partner with dozens of other agencies to make sustainable change for people in crisis, coordinate the services of more than 300 pro bono attorneys in Western North Carolina, and improve systems and policies that impact the lives of thousands of low-income people.

Get your tickets today!