2.7.15 – Georgetown Ballroom, Seattle WA

Melodic Caring Project’s 2nd Annual “Raise A Record” Gala Fundraiser

WHAT A NIGHT! From tray-passed appetizers to complimentary drinks, a silent and live auction, dessert dash, photo-booth to incredible and sensational tunes by Seattle Rock Orchestra & Tyrone Wells to teary testimonials by rockSTARS and families to a surprise FLASH MOB?! Melodic Caring Project’s 2nd annual gala left little to be desired.

As a music-based charity, Seattle Non-Profit, the Melodic Caring Project (MCP) Co-Founder and event creator, Stephanie Ware, aimed to embrace the music scene coming up with their annual theme “Raise A Record” in which they literally use 12 inch vinyl records as paddles for guests to “raise a record” for hospitalized kids. “We like to think outside of the box. Our goal is to give our guests an incredible time. Yes, it’s a fundraiser but its not your typical fundraiser. We all know we’re here to raise money for an amazing cause but why not have a ton of fun doing it? We like to keep our guests on their toes and surprise them with things they’d never expect. Last year it was a room full of 19 members from the UW Huskies Marching Band, this year it was a flash mob of 21 local dancers from NW Tap Connection (kudos to our wonderful production team Evan Blackstone and my husband/Co-Founder, Levi),” says, Ware.

From the moment you walk through the door you sense the music-induced theme. Upon check-in guests receive registration packets – an actual 12″ vinyl record jacket which includes their program, meal card and of course the 12 inch vinyl record/paddle. Continue on and you’ll see a photo-booth with a backdrop made completely out of various vintage record jackets and a Raffle taking place where the raffle tickets are backstage passes hanging from logo’d lanyards. “I love details. It’s the little things,” says Ware, “I’d rather put an extra sentimental touch here and there rather than what you might usually see at any other event. For example, I think swag bags for the most part are silly. You get a bag full of stuff but it usually doesn’t mean anything, it’s just stuff.” This year each guest received specially made MCP logo’d cookies (compliments of A Treat Life) and succulents w/tags reading “thanks for helping us grow” as take home favors. It’s those “little details” that really make MCP’s event stand-out amongst the rest. As 2nd-year seasoned guest and KING 5 Evening Magazine Host, Kim Holcomb, posted on social media “At the best gala of the year.”

Besides the special flash mob dance surprise and all the FUN activities, the room was filled to the brim with heart, joy and tears. The music portion of the event, by LA-based singer-songwriter Tyrone Wells, was made even more special as it was streamed LIVE to children all over the country tuning in from their hospital beds. Guests and donors not only got to enjoy the evening festivities, guest speakers and entertainment but they got to be a part of “something more” (coming from the title of one of Wells’ songs and a main point Founder, Levi Ware, expressed in his welcome speech). Guests were able to be a part of an actual MCP program. “It’s a magical thing when people realize that the cameras in the room are recording and sending the show live to children in hospitals that are watching right then and there,” says Ware. “Every time the crowd cheers after the musician calls out a child’s name that child feels that on the other end. It makes them feel special, not alone and loved.”

If that wasn’t enough, guest speaker and MCP rockSTAR, Faith Murray, along with her mom, Libby, gave heartwarming testimonials from their experience on the receiving end of MCP concerts. “I don’t think there was a dry-eye in the room” said host Chris Cashman, of The 206TV. Faith then went on to present a special gift to founders, Levi and Stephanie Ware, who in return, also had a special surprise for Faith with a personal video message dedicated to Faith from Jason Mraz. (Watch Jason Mraz’s video message here).

To top it off, at the end of the night and after coming all the way from LA to perform, Tyrone Wells walked up to Founder, Levi Ware, and tore up his check as his contribution.

The night ended up raising $81,433 to support MCP’s program costs throughout 2015. The event could not have been possible without the help and sponsorships by: SWEDISH Medical Center (Platinum Sponsor); Table Sponsors: Dieter Krumpelmann, Dr. Guy & Carmen Hudson, Josiah & Bridget Johnson, Bowman Manufacturing, Mighty Media Studios, KING 5, & Seattle Theatre Group; Event Sponsors: Jim Beam, Proletariat Wines, Bad Jimmy’s Brewery, The Georgetown Ballroom, Gibson Seattle, Jenni Kim of Keller Williams/Rococo Events, our gracious host – Chris Cashman, Verbovski