Arts & Entertainment
Chicks with Picks Playing For a Cause
Musicians on a Mission help raise money for homeless families.
Musicians on a Mission held their fourth benefit show at NovelTeas in Red Bank on Saturday, February 12th. The recently formed charitable organization participated in the event to benefit Family Promise of Monmouth County.
Family Promise works with community agencies, faith-based services, churches and synagogues to provide shelter, food, transportation and supportive services including case management for homeless families.
Musicians on a Mission partners with local non-profit organizations to create a benefit concert or musical event. Shows are held at a variety of locations throughout the Jersey Shore area. The format of each event is unique, highlighting the rich diversity of local musical talent. All the proceeds from the events are donated to the partner organization.
MoaM was started by local singer/songwriter Jenny Woods. According to Woods, “music is a universal language that raises spirits and creates connections.” Woods therefore tapped into the community that she has been revolving in and playing with for nearly 20 years.
“This community of musicians nurtured and encouraged me in my personal musical journey, just as they have supported each other over the years,” Woods said. “Most of them are willing to play simply for their love of music, but the opportunity to raise money for charity is a bonus they can’t refuse.”
MoaM has raised money and food donations for The Food Bank of Monmouth and Ocean County, for Epiphany House of Asbury Park and for the Homeless Veterans of Monmouth County. In addition to hosting its own fundraisers, the group also assists other organizations by facilitating musicians for fundraisers that are in need of entertainment.
“In December the Eastern Monmouth Chamber of Commerce had a Christmas Party that was also a food drive,” Woods said. “We provided a musician, Gary Phillips, to entertain there.” Woods perceives relationships like these as a win/win situation. The organization that is fulfilling a need has a need for entertainment and MoaM and the performer get exposure.
“We’re excited to work with this wonderful group,” said Shanna Goldstein, executive director of Family Promise. “They are providing a needed service for the non-profit community. Finding musicians for our events has never been an easy task, and we are grateful that these musicians are using their gifts for the greater good.”
Performing at the event were Laura Crisci, Aster Pheonyx and Jo Wymer. For more information about the event or the performers check out MoaM on the web at: www.musiciansonamission.org. For more information about Family Promise go to: www.familypromisemc.org. To find out about other events at NovelTeas go to: www.novelteas.org.
