COVID-19 Update: Roadie Rescue Campaign Nears $70,000 in Donations

Less than one month after announcing an effort to raise money to provide relief to eligible freelance professionals affected by the coronavirus pandemic due to event cancellations, the Roadie Rescue Campaign announces that the campaign has raised close to $70,000 in donations to date, both through direct contributions to the GoFundMe campaign started in its name and to a special Show Makers Symposium [pending 501(c)(3)] fund set up in the name of the Roadie Rescue Campaign.

The contribution milestone was achieved by major contributions from three donors. Kim and Tom Scholz, multi-instrumentalist founder of the American rock band, Boston, made a $50,000 campaign contribution to Roadie Rescue managed by Show Makers Symposium. Take1 Insurance made a $10,000 contribution directly to the GoFundMe campaign. The goal of the campaign is to raise $250,000 in donations to provide relief to eligible freelance professionals affected by the coronavirus pandemic due to event cancellations.

The campaign is initially being sponsored by Alive Risk, Clair Global, the Event Safety Alliance, Griffin360, Merch Roadie, Show Makers Symposium, and Take1 Insurance, with other companies expected to join the cause. The goal of the campaign is to reach out to entertainment industry businesses and live entertainment fans worldwide to raise $250,000 in direct contributions to the Roadie Relief GoFundMe campaign that will then be distributed to eligible freelance professionals through MusiCares. Information about the Roadie Rescue Campaign, who it benefits and how to apply can be found at www.roadierescue.com.

In accepting the contribution from Kim and Tom Scholz, Show Makers Symposium founder Jim Digby said, "We are so grateful for the selfless support made by Tom and Kim Scholz to the Roadie Rescue Campaign. Tom and Kim have spent a lifetime giving back to those who need help, and their contribution here is a further example of their kindness and compassion. On behalf of Roadie Rescue and the many people their contribution will assist, we offer great thanks."

"We all owe a huge thank you to Kim and Tom Scholz for stepping up and helping the community that they have been such an important part of for more than 40 years," Take1 Insurance executive vice president Scott Carroll said today. "The generosity they have shown in the size of their contribution speaks volumes about their love for the live event community. We at Take1 are humbled by this gift and proud to join with them in providing major momentum to our effort."

Boston is a staple of classic rock. Their best-known works include the songs "More than a Feeling," "Peace of Mind," Foreplay/Long Time," "Rock and Roll Band," "Smokin," "Don't Look Back," "A Man I'll Never Be," and "Amanda." The band has sold more than 75 million records worldwide, including 31 million albums in the United States, of which 17 million were from its self-titled debut album and seven million were for its second album, Don't Look Back, making the group one of the world's best-selling artists of all time. Altogether, the band has released six studio albums over a career spanning over 40 years.

Alive Risk is a division of All Risks, Ltd. which is the largest independent insurance wholesaler in the country. Alive Risk's innovative underwriting facility delivers comprehensive specialty solutions for its partners in entertainment, live events, amusement, and sports. To learn more, please visit www.aliverisk.com.

Clair Global is wholly committed to customer service and satisfaction. For more information, visit www.clairglobal.com.

The Event Safety Alliance (ESA) is a global advocacy group dedicated to the promotion and support of "life safety first" throughout all phases of live event production. Through the dissemination of safety preparedness information and the creation and development of safety planning, training and other resources, the ESA is helping to achieve these goals across the world. More information about the Event Safety Alliance is available at eventsafetyalliance.org.

Headquartered in New York City, Griffin360 is an integrated communications agency. For more information, visit www.griffin360.com.

Merch Roadie is the creator of the world's only road and event-ready vending machines. www.merchroadie.com.

The Show Makers Symposium is a three-day gathering redefining the annual "industry conference." It's an opportunity to gather, learn and give back outside of the work environment inside a framework of camaraderie, professional development, wellness, and philanthropy.