After many of years of supporting Music for Relief and talking to people to raise awareness this was written and we felt it time to re-post.

So, who is Music for Relief and where did it come from?

MUSIC FOR RELIEF is a grassroots effort comprised of musicians, music industry professionals and fans who believe that together they can create positive change.

Music for Relief was founded by the members of Linkin Park in 2005.  It is registered in the U.S. as a 501(c) (3) non-profit organisation, dedicated to providing aid to victims of natural disasters and the prevention of such disasters.

In 2005, the members of the Californian award winning band Linkin Park wanted to do something to help those affected by the tsunami tragedy in South East Asia.  The idea was that if they made a donation then asked their musician peers and their fans to make a donation as well a huge impact could be made in assisting the relief efforts.  With this in mind they started reaching out to others in the music community to get involved and became the founders of Music for Relief.

Since its inception, the organisation has raised over $3 million for:

• 2009 earthquakes, tsunamis and typhoons that’ve struck Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands
• 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami relief
• Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and other Atlantic storms occurring in 2008 in partnership with Habitat for Humanity to rebuild homes for those affected by the storm.
• California wildfires
• Cyclone Sidr in Bangladesh
• Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar
• Earthquake recovery in China’s Sichuan Province
• Environmental efforts to help reduce global warming and mitigate the damage resulting from weather-related natural disasters

MFR Mission:

OUR MISSION To respond to natural disasters and help victims recover and rebuild with an emphasis on housing, education programs and resources. MUSIC FOR RELIEF also recognizes the environmental consequences of global warming, which has demonstrated the capability to accelerate and strengthen certain types of natural disasters. Therefore the second goal of MUSIC FOR RELIEF is to prevent and decrease future natural disasters by reducing greenhouse gasses, seeking renewable forms of energy and educating the public about climate change.

Not just raising the roof, but the walls too!

While touring in North America in early 2008, Linkin Park and Coheed & Cambria took time out to build homes in New Orleans with Habitat for Humanity for those affected by the Hurricanes that ravaged the Gulf Coast .

Music for Relief has also teamed up with American Forests to plant over 809,000 trees in North America in the last two years.

American Forests is a world leader in tree planting for environmental restoration as well as a pioneer in the science and practice of urban forestry.

LPU (Linkin Park’s official fanclub) made a substantial contribution to Music for Relief which enabled the planting of 100,000 of the total trees.

More projects, events and fundraising activities…

In 2005, Music for Relief organised two benefit concerts featuring multi-platinum artists & numerous celebrity guests. The first show took place on January 17th, 2005 and included Tenacious D (who also helped organize the event), Beck, Will Ferrell, Dave Grohl, Josh Homme, and Eddie Vedder. The second show took place on February 15th, 2005 and included Linkin Park, Ozzy Osbourne, No Doubt, and Jurassic 5.

MFR and Emma Ticketmaster in China donated $100,000 for recovery efforts following the devastating 5.12 earthquake centered in Wenchuan; the World Bank matched the donation.   This partnership funded four post-earthquake recovery projects proposed by grassroots organizations in China and chosen via China World Bank’s 2^nd China Development Marketplace (CDM).

Charity Auctions with ebay…

Music For Relief regularly hold charity auctions on eBay offering some unique and personal prizes – including concert tickets with private meet & greets with members of Linkin Park, signed merchandise and more, with all proceeds benefiting the charity.  Here’s what one of those lucky fans had to say:

The reasons I bid were twofold: Obviously, the prize was unmatchable. Meeting two LP members face to face for 15 minutes? It was definitely something unique and greatly desirable (I mean, I went to FIVE of these). Second: I kept feeling a little silly for spending as much as I did, but I kept remembering it was going to a great cause, so it totally made me feel better.
It was an excellent way to encourage people to give to MFR, since each auction sold for a crazy amount of money and the cost of doing it was virtually nil. It gave the fans an opportunity to get something unmatchable, but also helped a lot of people in the process.

- Andrew from London, Ontario, Canada

Merchandise…

From clothing, accessories and exclusive designs by Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda Music for Relief’s online store has plenty of options for fans to show their support including a bag and T-shirts onsale…

Fan & Volunteer involvement…

Since the beginning, Music For Relief has encouraged musicians and their fans to get involved around the world using their influence and passion to raise awareness and providing relief to those who need it.  Many fans have donated both money and their time volunteering and supporting the cause, fans young and old, students and professionals, passionate about helping make a difference and to get the warm fuzzies that goes with knowing you helped others!

Music for Relief volunteers have dedicated time to setting up and fundraising at both official and independent events around the world.

Here’s what some of those fans had to say when asked how they felt about the organisation:

I have learned from mfr about caring for the environment and simply helping out in what ever way possible, whether its spreading the word or donating. I’ve also enjoyed how they don’t limit their causes. They have been innovative in the various ways they raise funds (merchandise, donations, and auctions) and love how they offer opportunities to win items pertaining to the fans such as hanging with bands, autographs, artwork, etc – Rocio from Chicago, IL

I’m a seismologist and throughout my 5 years of studying and then working in the Oil industry, whenever there was an earthquake everyone buzzed with ‘OMG how big was it?’, ‘It was felt in xxx!’ & ‘Where was the epicentre?’

Within hours emails were passed around by my friends, work colleagues and lecturers with attached seismographs and geophysical cartoons of how the earthquake was caused. Not once did we stop to actually consider the damage, the lives lost or the cost of rebuilding an entire country that was until the Tsunami hit South Asia – something I should have been scientifically excited about but couldn’t see past the devastation caused.

Music for Relief was set up to aid this disaster and as an Earth Scientist I fully support it’s goal to help the victims of natural disasters…the fact it was set up by one of my favourite bands is just an added bonus, sort of gives a warm and fuzzy feeling that they are bringing awareness to their fans – Rebecca from Wales (now living in London, England)

Working the MFR booth in Sacramento, California was something I’ll never forget, and hope to do again, in the future.  Jessica and I both worked the booth.  It was Jess’ first time doing any kind of fund raising other than selling candy/cookies for school.  She’s usually a very quiet person with strangers around, but she was shouting out to anyone and everyone who walked by.  She was able to get nearly as many donations as 3 of the adults put together.  We were both proud of being a part of helping rebuild the Gulf Coast after the hurricanes, and spread the word of this charity and what it stands for.  It was great being a part of something worthwhile, and to make a difference. – Robynn from Northern California

From a fan’s point of view, Music for Relief is doing a great job in providing help for people in the world whose homes have been destroyed because of weather conditions, e.g. tsunami’s. It is a great way of getting people and bands together to help people in need. Founded in 2005 by Linkin Park, there are now a few other bands that also help in the process of getting people in the Caribbean and the U.S Gulf Coast, back on their feet!  – Together, we can create a positive change! – Kim from Bedfordshire, England

So in 2009, we shall continue to support Music for Relief.

We look forward to the challenge…

…and you’re support

So how can you help? Visit www.musicforrelief.org and donate what you can!