JWY! Gives Back: Donates Front Row Dave Matthews Band Concert Tickets

  

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This spring, we found a great opportunity to combine our love for music with our love for philanthropy. JWY's Business Manager, an avid Dave Matthews Band fan, obtained two front row tickets to see his favorite band in Albuquerque, New Mexico, during their 2009 Spring Tour. This particular venue offers ADA Accessible seating in its two side front row seats, and we felt this would be a wonderful experience to share with someone who may not be able to usually enjoy a concert on a random Tuesday night in May.

After various emails to many grant-a-wish foundations, we heard back from Amy Bonds, a representative of Believe In Tomorrow, a foundation based out of Maryland. As fate would have it, Amy already had a contact with the University of New Mexico Hospital, a fantastic woman named Dale Dietz. An extremely kind-hearted and caring woman, Dale led us through the search to find the perfect person to give our front row tickets to. One day, we received an email letting us know that indeed, the perfect candidate had been found. In Dale's own words:

"Her name is Kimberly. She is 19 years old and is in the maintenance phase of treatment for high risk acute lymphocytic leukemia. She is in remission and is in her 1st year of college.

FYI... Treatment for acute lymphocytic leukemia is about 3 years in duration. It requires quite a bit of chemotherapy which can affect kids with long term side effects (common are problems with concentration, recalling information, memory lapses etc). This is the reason I am very proud of her commitment to her education and her attending college classes. Despite being in the heat of treatment, she managed to graduate last year... I am very proud of this young lady and think she would love this very special treat."

After we sent the front row tickets off to Albuquerque, our mission was not over. Kim informed us via email that this was going to be only her 2nd concert ever, and we felt compelled to make this experience as amazing for Kim as possible. Again, our business manager was put to the task of exhausting all his Dave Matthews Band contacts, and again, he was able to come through!

Through Facebook and MySpace we were able to get in touch with Stefan Lessard, the bassist for DMB, and Tim Reynolds, guitarist, resident of Sante Fe, New Mexico, and the long-time guest of DMB. Tim's manager, Fluffy, helped us finish our goal of making this experience unforgettable by getting backstage passes and lounge passes for Kim and her concert companion. Before the show, Tim Reynolds gave Kim a personal tour throughout the backstage area, where they actually ran into Dave Matthews himself! Then, it was off to her front row seats, to enjoy a wonderful night of music!!

Although Kim was too excited to ask Dave or Tim for an autograph, she writes:

"...at least I [have] the memory of meeting him and the whole concert. I'm especially thankful that I had a great time at the concert, because now I'm stuck in the hospital. I shouldn't be complaining though, since I haven't had to be admitted very much since I was diagnosed. I'm just bored here!!!!"

That's exactly the kind of spirit that Kim embodies -- always looking for the positive when faced with difficult times. We continue to encourage Kim in her treatment and in her education goals. We are thrilled to have been introduced to Kim, and are grateful for the kindness of the many people who helped us -- Amy and Dale who helped us find Kim, and the members of the Dave Matthews Band who took the time from their busy concert-day schedule. Mostly we are amazed by Kim, who has shown us all what true courage and personal strength means.

At Jammin' With You!, we are always looking for ways to give back, and have been so inspired by Kim's story that we are currently working on a proposal to partner with the world-renowned Boston's Children Hospital and our local concert and sports venues to provide similar experiences for kids in the Boston area. We welcome any of our families who would like to join us in making music dreams for children and teens come true! If you have ideas, suggestions, or even contacts, please don't hesitate to contact us -- it's very much appreciated!

If you'd like to learn more about Believe In Tomorrow, or make a donation, please visit www.believeintomorrow.org