First I wanna thank every band, comedian, sound technician, Stockholm
Diskotek's staff and all those volunteers who took part in making
this event to become true. Special thanks to Elina, Daiga, Elise,
Juulia, Pauliina, Arto, Huikka, Kai and Tim!
Because the profit of the concert didn't reach our goals we decided to donate the whole amount to one project which need it the most — Labdariba's project for 6 Latvian children's homes.
Labdariba (a local charity organisation) organized a music & sports event for kids in Engure (80km to northwest from Riga) where they also gave away traditional medals and diplomas but as well toys, games & equipments bought with the profit, savings & sponsors donations. Total budget was 2600€.
Their project coordinator Elina Veita & volunteers made a big effort 9th of September in Engure. This small seaside town was a perfect place to organize an event for these super-energetic future hopes.
Ten kids per team (children's home) participated in competitions.
There were about ten kids who came as supporters, a journalist from
local TV, a local DJ, few staff members from each children's home and
of course those volunteers. All together there was about 70 kids and
few dozens of adults. Kids were between 8-14 years old.
Besides the four-part team competition, this six-hour event included three meals, home-made performance of each team, a few obligatory sport injuries, a lot of laugh, grumble to the refs and award ceremony of course.
On the following week we visited all the children's homes, talked with the staff members, directors and of course with the kids. Because these places are situated in quite large area we had to drive around Latvia about 500 km.
Engure's event was the first of its kind and the plan is to make it an annual tradition. I think the fact, that this year's event made it to the local TV, will help organizers to find next year sponsors & partners more easily.
Even
thought our profit wasn't as big as what we were expecting — I'm
convinced that it contributed to start this important tradition in
Latvia.
Do You want to help Labdariba in the future in their projects? Check their website: http://www.labdaribasprojekti.lv
Petri Partanen