Atlanta 2007 fundraiser
The GFA team was excited to be able to host the meet-and-greet before Josh’s concert in Atlanta on March 17, St. Patrick’s Day.
Seventy-five Grobies attended, and there was much fun, laughter, Josh-talking, prize-winning, picture-taking, and fund-raising going on at the “KISS ME—I’M AWAKE!” meet-and-greet!
The Omni Hotel came through (Thanks, Bob!) with a beautiful banquet room and great food. The attendees contributed items for some HUGE gift baskets for Josh, the band, Angelique, and Sweeney. After the show, Craig and Josh both acknowledged receipt of the “awesome” gift baskets, and Sweeney was spotted playing next to his basket on the bus. Big, Big thanks to Jerry and Conan for help with the basket delivery!
The highlight of the meet-and-greet was a visit from Angelique Kidjo! Angelique very graciously spent a long time with us, making sure that everyone received pictures, autographs, and conversation. She helped give out door prizes, one of which was an autographed copy of her CD. She spoke passionately to all of us about her work with Oxfam and Unicef, and her work to help the people of her country. She talked about the importance of what Josh’s fans are doing with GFA and how every single penny we send to Josh’s Foundation for work in Africa will help more than we can imagine. Besides being so incredibly talented, Angelique is one of the most caring, passionate people I’ve ever met and we were honored to have her as our guest. If you spend five minutes in her presence, you can’t help but absorb some of that unbelievable energy---we all came away with a renewed commitment to help the children of Africa in every way we can. Many thanks from the GFA team to Angelique, her manager Kevin, and her most awesome tour manager, Conan!
And many, many thanks to all those who attended the meet-and-greet, who have offered GFA your support, your help in making the meet-and-greet happen, your donations, contributions, auction items, and hard work—we appreciate you!!
Because of all of you, the Atlanta fundraiser made approximately $1800.00 for the Josh Groban Foundation, for Africa projects!!!
Hopefully, Josh and Company will make it back to Atlanta before long, so we can do it all again!
The “Grobanites For Africa” team---Janet, Sandi, Harriet, Trisha, Mary, Kim, Karen, and Nay.
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Tuesday August 19, 2008
general
Welcome to our newsblog. Please select a category on the right to visit our various forums. Post your responses or questions by clicking the link on each entry. We welcome your questions and feedback!
World AIDS Day
Tomorrow, Dec 1, is WORLD AIDS DAY. Please, if you can, take a moment to remember those who are affected by this horrible disease....its victims, their friends, families, loved ones.....the millions of children around the world who have been orphaned by AIDS....the millions more who will be if something isn't done to stop it.
Contribute to AIDS charities. Wear a red ribbon to show you care. Communicate to your government officials that you feel deeply about the need for them to do more. Stand up for those who can't speak for themselves.
If not us, then who?
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Tomorrow, Dec 1, is WORLD AIDS DAY. Please, if you can, take a moment to remember those who are affected by this horrible disease....its victims, their friends, families, loved ones.....the millions of children around the world who have been orphaned by AIDS....the millions more who will be if something isn't done to stop it.
Contribute to AIDS charities. Wear a red ribbon to show you care. Communicate to your government officials that you feel deeply about the need for them to do more. Stand up for those who can't speak for themselves.
If not us, then who?
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SHOP "RED" !!
Since we're all about to begin....or maybe some of you crazy people have *already begun* :).....holiday shopping, just a reminder to SHOP RED!!
Join Bono and Bobby Shriver's genius campaign and you'll not only get some great gifts for those you care about, but you'll also be helping those "others' we care about, too-----the millions of children in Africa whose lives are being torn apart by the AIDS pandemic. Some words from Bono.......
"5500 Africans dying a day of AIDS, a preventable, treatable disease is not a cause. 5500 Africans dying each day is an emergency......
If you buy a (RED) product from GAP, Motorola, Armani, Converse or Apple, they will give up to 50% of their profit to buy AIDS drugs for mothers and children in Africa. (RED) is the consumer battalion gathering in the shopping malls. You buy the jeans, phones, iPods, shoes, sunglasses, and someone--somebody's mother, father, daughter or son--will live instead of dying in the poorest part of the world. It's a different kind of fashion statement.....
AIDS is no longer a death sentence. Just two pills a day will bring someone who is at death's door back to full health, back to a full life. Doctors call it "the Lazarus effect". I've seen it myself and I have to say that it's nothing short of a miracle. These pills are available at any corner drugstore. They cost less than a dollar a day, but the poorest people in Africa earn less than a dollar a day. They can't afford them, and so they die. It's unnecessary. It's insane. ......
As I said, this is an emergency. And in these dangerous times, how we in the West respond is an opportunity to show what we stand for, as well as what we stand against. If we're successful, we will not only transform millions of people's lives, we'll transform the way these people see us...and in turn, the world in which we live.
www.joinred.com
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Since we're all about to begin....or maybe some of you crazy people have *already begun* :).....holiday shopping, just a reminder to SHOP RED!!
Join Bono and Bobby Shriver's genius campaign and you'll not only get some great gifts for those you care about, but you'll also be helping those "others' we care about, too-----the millions of children in Africa whose lives are being torn apart by the AIDS pandemic. Some words from Bono.......
"5500 Africans dying a day of AIDS, a preventable, treatable disease is not a cause. 5500 Africans dying each day is an emergency......
If you buy a (RED) product from GAP, Motorola, Armani, Converse or Apple, they will give up to 50% of their profit to buy AIDS drugs for mothers and children in Africa. (RED) is the consumer battalion gathering in the shopping malls. You buy the jeans, phones, iPods, shoes, sunglasses, and someone--somebody's mother, father, daughter or son--will live instead of dying in the poorest part of the world. It's a different kind of fashion statement.....
AIDS is no longer a death sentence. Just two pills a day will bring someone who is at death's door back to full health, back to a full life. Doctors call it "the Lazarus effect". I've seen it myself and I have to say that it's nothing short of a miracle. These pills are available at any corner drugstore. They cost less than a dollar a day, but the poorest people in Africa earn less than a dollar a day. They can't afford them, and so they die. It's unnecessary. It's insane. ......
As I said, this is an emergency. And in these dangerous times, how we in the West respond is an opportunity to show what we stand for, as well as what we stand against. If we're successful, we will not only transform millions of people's lives, we'll transform the way these people see us...and in turn, the world in which we live.
www.joinred.com
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From the "One" Campaign....
Dear ONE Member:
This Friday, ONE and EDUN will launch a special edition ONE T-shirt, made by local artisans in Lesotho — one of the poorest nations in the world. The workers who produce these shirts can earn enough to provide for their entire family. In part, this factory, along with others just like it, is the result of a historic bi-partisan effort by the United States to help 37 African nations develop their industries and rise out of poverty.
But this amazing accomplishment is now in serious danger. If Congress doesn't extend a critical provision of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) in the next few weeks, we will jeopardize tens of thousands of jobs and the future of the entire African clothing industry.
If we act quickly, we have the power to stop this. That's why today we're calling on Congress to renew this provision without delay. To really turn up the heat, we'll publish the name of ONE members who support this extension in a full page ad in Roll Call — the Capitol Hill newspaper that every member of Congress reads.
Please visit www.one.org and lend your support to this campaign.
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Dear ONE Member:
This Friday, ONE and EDUN will launch a special edition ONE T-shirt, made by local artisans in Lesotho — one of the poorest nations in the world. The workers who produce these shirts can earn enough to provide for their entire family. In part, this factory, along with others just like it, is the result of a historic bi-partisan effort by the United States to help 37 African nations develop their industries and rise out of poverty.
But this amazing accomplishment is now in serious danger. If Congress doesn't extend a critical provision of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) in the next few weeks, we will jeopardize tens of thousands of jobs and the future of the entire African clothing industry.
If we act quickly, we have the power to stop this. That's why today we're calling on Congress to renew this provision without delay. To really turn up the heat, we'll publish the name of ONE members who support this extension in a full page ad in Roll Call — the Capitol Hill newspaper that every member of Congress reads.
Please visit www.one.org and lend your support to this campaign.
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From www.46664.com
GROBAN NEWS ITEM
0000-00-00
April 26, 2006 — Josh Groban has taken the music world by storm, selling out New York City's Madison Square Garden in 22 minutes during his tour.
Although his voice has never been classically trained, his multiplatinum album "Closer" and hits like "You Raise Me Up" have created a legion of fans called "Grobanites."
Last year, his tour took him to South Africa. It was a trip that changed Groban's outlook forever.
"I had wanted to visit South Africa for many, many years," Groban said, "and, um, it was an incredible thing to be performing for the fans in South Africa who have been incredibly supportive ever since the beginning. But it was life-changing because I made sure to take some extra time off to meet with Nelson Mandela, understand firsthand what his organization, 46664, is doing for AIDS awareness in South Africa."
That meeting inspired his latest album and opened him up to a larger worldview. He teamed up with the renowned South African group Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Founded in 1974 by Joseph Shabalala, the band may be best recognized for its contributions to Paul Simon's "Graceland."
"I've been a fan of theirs for as long as I can remember," Groban said. "Their sound is just magical."
Groban, 25, said working with Ladysmith had "been an absolute pleasure in every sense of the word." It turns out the band members are big fans of his, too.
"We're all very happy and proud to work together with a young star like this," Shabalala said.
"He's a very good man, has a beautiful voice," he said. "He has a gift from God!"
ABC News' Charlie Gibson originally reported this story for "Good Morning America."
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GROBAN NEWS ITEM
0000-00-00
April 26, 2006 — Josh Groban has taken the music world by storm, selling out New York City's Madison Square Garden in 22 minutes during his tour.
Although his voice has never been classically trained, his multiplatinum album "Closer" and hits like "You Raise Me Up" have created a legion of fans called "Grobanites."
Last year, his tour took him to South Africa. It was a trip that changed Groban's outlook forever.
"I had wanted to visit South Africa for many, many years," Groban said, "and, um, it was an incredible thing to be performing for the fans in South Africa who have been incredibly supportive ever since the beginning. But it was life-changing because I made sure to take some extra time off to meet with Nelson Mandela, understand firsthand what his organization, 46664, is doing for AIDS awareness in South Africa."
That meeting inspired his latest album and opened him up to a larger worldview. He teamed up with the renowned South African group Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Founded in 1974 by Joseph Shabalala, the band may be best recognized for its contributions to Paul Simon's "Graceland."
"I've been a fan of theirs for as long as I can remember," Groban said. "Their sound is just magical."
Groban, 25, said working with Ladysmith had "been an absolute pleasure in every sense of the word." It turns out the band members are big fans of his, too.
"We're all very happy and proud to work together with a young star like this," Shabalala said.
"He's a very good man, has a beautiful voice," he said. "He has a gift from God!"
ABC News' Charlie Gibson originally reported this story for "Good Morning America."
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Point Hope book drive
AND THE RESULTS ARE IN!!!
The Grobanite Book Drive for the Point Hope school at Buduburam ended at midnight last night, and I'm so, so very thrilled to say that Josh's fans donated a total of 2866 BOOKS !!!!
I've said it before and I'll say it again---there just is no more caring, generous group of people on earth than Grobanites!! No matter what the need is, when it comes to helping children, you step right up to the plate and come through for them every single time.
On behalf of the entire GFA team, THANK YOU ALL, from the bottom of our hearts. Because of you, many children who are faced with terrible struggles we can only imagine every single day of their lives, will now be offered the hope of a brighter future for themselves and their families through the power of education.
The results of the book drive have been sent to Delilah, Point Hope, World Vision, and to Josh and his family. As the books arrive in Ghana, I've been promised pictures, and I'll be sure to pass them on to you.
Thank you again----you're awesome!!!
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AND THE RESULTS ARE IN!!!
The Grobanite Book Drive for the Point Hope school at Buduburam ended at midnight last night, and I'm so, so very thrilled to say that Josh's fans donated a total of 2866 BOOKS !!!!
I've said it before and I'll say it again---there just is no more caring, generous group of people on earth than Grobanites!! No matter what the need is, when it comes to helping children, you step right up to the plate and come through for them every single time.
On behalf of the entire GFA team, THANK YOU ALL, from the bottom of our hearts. Because of you, many children who are faced with terrible struggles we can only imagine every single day of their lives, will now be offered the hope of a brighter future for themselves and their families through the power of education.
The results of the book drive have been sent to Delilah, Point Hope, World Vision, and to Josh and his family. As the books arrive in Ghana, I've been promised pictures, and I'll be sure to pass them on to you.
Thank you again----you're awesome!!!
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NBC Nightly News
Brian Williams will cover the crises in Africa for 3 nights, beginning on Monday, May 22, on NBC Nightly News.
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Brian Williams will cover the crises in Africa for 3 nights, beginning on Monday, May 22, on NBC Nightly News.
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Light a Candle in the AIDS Memorial
Light a Candle in the AIDS Memorial
The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Campaign, a program of the Global Health Council, is a 12-month mobilization project that encourages communities and individuals around the world to become more involved with HIV/AIDS work through participation in a worldwide memorial. The Memorial takes place every year on the third Sunday of May. If you'd like to participate and can't get to a local ceremony, you can light a "virtual" candle online.
www.candlelightmemorial.o...t=thankyou
"This virtual Candlelight Memorial serves as a reminder that HIV/AIDS touches every person in every part of the world. We invite you to light a virtual candle for anyone who has been touched by HIV/AIDS."
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Light a Candle in the AIDS Memorial
The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Campaign, a program of the Global Health Council, is a 12-month mobilization project that encourages communities and individuals around the world to become more involved with HIV/AIDS work through participation in a worldwide memorial. The Memorial takes place every year on the third Sunday of May. If you'd like to participate and can't get to a local ceremony, you can light a "virtual" candle online.
www.candlelightmemorial.o...t=thankyou
"This virtual Candlelight Memorial serves as a reminder that HIV/AIDS touches every person in every part of the world. We invite you to light a virtual candle for anyone who has been touched by HIV/AIDS."
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Genocide in Darfur
Because of fighting among rebel armies, over two and one-half million people in Darfur have been displaced. Something must be done to stop the genocide, and it must be done quickly. Please. Visit www.millionvoicesfordarfur.org and sign the postcard to President Bush, asking for his help.
It will only take a moment of your time, but could help make a world of difference.
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Because of fighting among rebel armies, over two and one-half million people in Darfur have been displaced. Something must be done to stop the genocide, and it must be done quickly. Please. Visit www.millionvoicesfordarfur.org and sign the postcard to President Bush, asking for his help.
It will only take a moment of your time, but could help make a world of difference.
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Josh on GMA!
Josh will be appearing on Good Morning America on Wednesday, April 26th. Also on the show will be Ladysmith Black Mambazo, the acclaimed acapella group from Africa. Josh recorded a song with them called "Weeping", which will be included on his new CD, so hopefully we'll get to hear that !!
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Josh will be appearing on Good Morning America on Wednesday, April 26th. Also on the show will be Ladysmith Black Mambazo, the acclaimed acapella group from Africa. Josh recorded a song with them called "Weeping", which will be included on his new CD, so hopefully we'll get to hear that !!
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Save The Children
The GFA team received a drawing from our sponsored child, Isabel, today!! It was so great to hear from her, and we'll include the drawing in our next newsletter.
STC really is a wonderful way to make a one-on-one difference in the life of a child in need. Not only do you get to provide correspondence and, hopefully, the knowledge that someone cares about them, but your contributions to STC go to improve the quality of life for the child and others in their village.
Check out their website today!
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The GFA team received a drawing from our sponsored child, Isabel, today!! It was so great to hear from her, and we'll include the drawing in our next newsletter.
STC really is a wonderful way to make a one-on-one difference in the life of a child in need. Not only do you get to provide correspondence and, hopefully, the knowledge that someone cares about them, but your contributions to STC go to improve the quality of life for the child and others in their village.
Check out their website today!
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Radiothon a rousing Grobanite success!
As promised, Josh appeared on Delilah's Radiothon for Point Hope, to the delight of millions of listeners! Josh spoke emotionally of his trip to Africa and its effect on his life, and challenged his fans to step up to the plate and help Delilah build a school for the children of Point Hope. Grobanites answered his call to the tune of over $6400.00!! And, there are plans in the works to do more! Visit the Point Hope fundraiser page on this site for more details, and to read what Delilah had to say about Josh and his Grobanites!
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As promised, Josh appeared on Delilah's Radiothon for Point Hope, to the delight of millions of listeners! Josh spoke emotionally of his trip to Africa and its effect on his life, and challenged his fans to step up to the plate and help Delilah build a school for the children of Point Hope. Grobanites answered his call to the tune of over $6400.00!! And, there are plans in the works to do more! Visit the Point Hope fundraiser page on this site for more details, and to read what Delilah had to say about Josh and his Grobanites!
View/Add Comments(2)
Josh lends support to Point Hope
Delilah Hosts National Radiothon and Auction to Benefit West Africa
LOS ANGELES, March 28 /PRNewswire/ -- This Friday from 7 - 12 p.m. on more than 200 radio stations across the country, radio personality Delilah will host a live radiothon to raise awareness and funds to benefit forgotten children in West Africa through her foundation Point Hope. The foundation is focused on a Liberian refugee camp, Buduburam, located near Accra in Ghana, West Africa, where up to 80,000 refugees are living on less than 120 acres. Many children there are traumatized, crippled, orphaned and suffer from poor health. In addition, there is poor sanitation and no source of fresh water or electricity. Delilah wants to change that. Point Hope has been working hand in hand with World Vision for the past two years to get fresh water to the camp by digging a series of wells. In addition, Delilah has opened a medical clinic and hopes to establish a school within the camp.
Stevie Wonder, Josh Groban, The Eagles, Michael Buble, LeAnn Rimes, Kimberley Locke, and other celebrities and friends will join Delilah on the air to support this cause. In addition, an eBay auction will be held from March 27 - April 2 featuring more than 300 items such as autographed guitars, CD boxed sets, limited edition artwork, posters and more which have been generously donated personally by music artists and celebrities.
Those interested in making a donation during the radiothon or bidding on an auction item can log onto http://www.delilah.com/.
Delilah stated, "I have been very fortunate to always be able to provide for the needs of my children. It breaks my heart to know that so many children will go to bed hungry, sick and without a family tonight. I'm doing what I can to be a voice for these forgotten children.
About Point Hope
Delilah is a single mother of seven children, four of whom she adopted. Because of her personal experience with the foster care system, Delilah has established a foundation called Point Hope as a voice for forgotten children everywhere. The immediate focus of the Foundation is on refugee children in Ghana and on special needs children in the foster care system nationwide and in her neighborhood of White Center in Seattle. More information can be found at http://www.pointhope.org/.
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Delilah Hosts National Radiothon and Auction to Benefit West Africa
LOS ANGELES, March 28 /PRNewswire/ -- This Friday from 7 - 12 p.m. on more than 200 radio stations across the country, radio personality Delilah will host a live radiothon to raise awareness and funds to benefit forgotten children in West Africa through her foundation Point Hope. The foundation is focused on a Liberian refugee camp, Buduburam, located near Accra in Ghana, West Africa, where up to 80,000 refugees are living on less than 120 acres. Many children there are traumatized, crippled, orphaned and suffer from poor health. In addition, there is poor sanitation and no source of fresh water or electricity. Delilah wants to change that. Point Hope has been working hand in hand with World Vision for the past two years to get fresh water to the camp by digging a series of wells. In addition, Delilah has opened a medical clinic and hopes to establish a school within the camp.
Stevie Wonder, Josh Groban, The Eagles, Michael Buble, LeAnn Rimes, Kimberley Locke, and other celebrities and friends will join Delilah on the air to support this cause. In addition, an eBay auction will be held from March 27 - April 2 featuring more than 300 items such as autographed guitars, CD boxed sets, limited edition artwork, posters and more which have been generously donated personally by music artists and celebrities.
Those interested in making a donation during the radiothon or bidding on an auction item can log onto http://www.delilah.com/.
Delilah stated, "I have been very fortunate to always be able to provide for the needs of my children. It breaks my heart to know that so many children will go to bed hungry, sick and without a family tonight. I'm doing what I can to be a voice for these forgotten children.
About Point Hope
Delilah is a single mother of seven children, four of whom she adopted. Because of her personal experience with the foster care system, Delilah has established a foundation called Point Hope as a voice for forgotten children everywhere. The immediate focus of the Foundation is on refugee children in Ghana and on special needs children in the foster care system nationwide and in her neighborhood of White Center in Seattle. More information can be found at http://www.pointhope.org/.
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Welcome!
Welcome to the GFA Blog! We hope you'll be a frequent visitor and we'll do our best to keep you updated on current events in Africa as relates to the Grobanites and what we can all do to help. Please feel free to post your comments--we want to hear from you!
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Welcome to the GFA Blog! We hope you'll be a frequent visitor and we'll do our best to keep you updated on current events in Africa as relates to the Grobanites and what we can all do to help. Please feel free to post your comments--we want to hear from you!
View/Add Comments(5)
Grobanites for Africa is not a registered 501(c)3 organization and does not have not-for-profit status.
Black and white photographs © Sönke C. Weiss, provided courtesy of AIDS Media Center
46664 appeal video © Nelson Mandela Foundation, used with permission
This is an independently maintained, non-commercial site and is not officially endorsed by or
representative of Josh Groban, his management, or Warner Brothers.
© Grobanites for Africa
Black and white photographs © Sönke C. Weiss, provided courtesy of AIDS Media Center
46664 appeal video © Nelson Mandela Foundation, used with permission
This is an independently maintained, non-commercial site and is not officially endorsed by or
representative of Josh Groban, his management, or Warner Brothers.
© Grobanites for Africa