Jeff Klopmeyer Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 Over the last five years, most of you KC'ers have heard me blab about the live music shows I do in the online virtual world of Second Life. While many of these shows have brought me personal pleasure in the form of fees/tips, in exposing my music to people around the world, and for the general fun of playing live, sometimes there's a much bigger payoff. I make it a point to occasionally do shows that are fundraisers for charitable organizations that I believe in. I've done a number of shows for Relay for Life, the fundraising effort for the American Cancer Society. I've done shows for animal rescue organizations. But perhaps the greatest of these are the shows I've done for Live and Learn in Kenya, a small non-profit organization that directly assists kids in the Rhonda Slums of Nakuru, Kenya, financing their education and feeding. Well, the most recent benefit show I did, last Monday, was a tremendous success, to the point that the kids in the whole school were able to have a "Zak Claxton Meal and Party" today. I just received the pics below, and... gotta tell ya, I got pretty teary-eyed knowing that I helped make a difference for one day in these kids' lives, just by strumming my guitar and singing for an hour (something I love to do anyway). What a great Christmas gift for me! I couldn't ask for anything better than this. http://zakclaxton.com/images/zc_kenyameal_01_900.jpg http://zakclaxton.com/images/zc_kenyameal_02_900.jpg http://zakclaxton.com/images/zc_kenyameal_00_900.jpg Anyway, if you've never done so before, I encourage you to find a charity that is meaningful to you, and see if your music can be useful to them. I promise you, it'll be the best feeling you ever got from your music. Marketing Communications for MI/Pro Audio My solo music and stuff They Stole My Crayon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cygnus64 Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 Wow. Totally amazing on every level. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cnegrad Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 Jeff, I'm with you brother. We've done a lot of work (both musical and personal) with Uganda's African Children's Choir, and they are some of my fondest memories. They even inspired our adoption of 3 kids from Ethiopia, 1 from Guatemala and one from Ukraine. There's nothing more rewarding than making a real difference in the life of a child. Blessings to you... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Muscara Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 "I'm so crazy, I don't know this is impossible! Hoo hoo!" - Daffy Duck "The good news is that once you start piano you never have to worry about getting laid again. More time to practice!" - MOI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Klopmeyer Posted December 16, 2011 Author Share Posted December 16, 2011 Thanks guys. It's funny; not five minutes before getting these photos, I was stressing about work stuff (getting ready for NAMM, of course), about my own finances after spoiling my own son for Christmas, and other typically worrisome elements of this time of year. But all that just melted away the second I opened their email, and I've been smiling ever since. I can't imagine a greater feeling, and I hope you all get to experience something similar in your lives. The fact that I helped directly with my music, as opposed to just writing a check or something, made it way more special. Can't tell you how happy I am. Marketing Communications for MI/Pro Audio My solo music and stuff They Stole My Crayon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ITGITC Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 This is the post of the year, folks. Jeff, I am humbled. My hat is off to you. Thanks for posting this. Tom "Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent." - Victor Hugo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RABid Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 Very cool Jeff. It is good to find a direct route into the people that need it. Looks like you did. Some local churches built an orphanage in Haiti and some of my cousins go twice a year. I try to buy toys and necessities for them to take each trip. In my area a lot of people dont want to give because they are afraid of people working the system. There are some people that attend any charity give-away they can and then sell the food or items for drug money. I try to put the word out that if they want to give to kids who are really in need then contact a school teacher or childrens mental health counselor. These professionals know what kids are really doing without and can help funnel toys and gifts to the right person. Buying for these kids is more rewarding than buying for my great nice and nephiew. This post edited for speling. My Sweetwater Gear Exchange Page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Beaumont Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 Its good to see people get involved in charity. My band does a couple of events every year. This year we did a 9/11 memorial event for disabled vets, an event for children with Leukemia and Toys for Tots. Great Stuff Jeff! Boards: Kurzweil SP-6, Roland FA-08, VR-09, DeepMind 12 Modules: Korg Radias, Roland D-05, Bk7-m & Sonic Cell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Klopmeyer Posted December 16, 2011 Author Share Posted December 16, 2011 Very cool Jeff. It is good to find a direct route into the people that need it. Looks like you did. That's exactly correct, Robert. The LLK people aren't just a charity. They personally go to Kenya multiple times per year and teach the kids, and help administer the fund distribution. The woman who's in charge is based in Germany, but she happens to come from my own city here in the LA area. I don't have to be concerned about the contributions being routed in some way that doesn't directly help the kids. I already told them to count on my support in 2012. Marketing Communications for MI/Pro Audio My solo music and stuff They Stole My Crayon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrafon Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 Big kudos!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedKey Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 This is the post of the year, folks. Jeff, I am humbled. My hat is off to you. Thanks for posting this. Tom I couldn't agree more. Good for you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meisenhower Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 Great work, Jeff. It's nice to really see where your philanthropic efforts are going and those kids look happy and grateful! Thanks for making a difference!! Yamaha C7 Grand, My Hammonds: '57 B3, '54 C2, '42 BC, '40 D, '05 XK3 Pro System, Kawai MP9000, Fender Rhodes Mk I 73, Yamaha CP33, Motif ES6, Nord Electro 2, Minimoog Voyager & Model D, Korg MS10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrimsonianKing Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 I know everybody will be saying their Congratulations, great job, bla, bla, but how many of YOU are actually doing your part? It's easy to compliment a helping someone, turn your back and go back to your normal life. If only everybody was like that guy, we would end their hunger and suffering in a blink of an eye, we have the money but not the will, obviously. Jeff, by helping them you aren't doing nothing else than your obligation, but not everybody sees it like that, so thank you for doing it. "The purple piper plays his tune, The choir softly sing; Three lullabies in an ancient tongue, For the court of the crimson king" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frogmonkey Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 That's beautiful, Jeff. Thanks for the inspiration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allan_evett Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 This is the post of the year, folks. Jeff, I am humbled. My hat is off to you. Thanks for posting this. Tom Couldn't have said it better.... That's awesome, Jeff. 'Someday, we'll look back on these days and laugh; likely a maniacal laugh from our padded cells, but a laugh nonetheless' - Mr. Boffo. We need a barfing cat emoticon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe P Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 Awesome, Jeff! Look at all those kids! :thu: Regards, Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffLearman Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 Way cool. Thanks for sharing! Way back when it looked like I might be able to retire early (which turned out to be a fairy tale; on the current schedule I can quit at age 85) I saw a book in a bookstore about how to retire successfully. I'd heard my dad's horror stories about his friends who were captains of industry and retired to be 2nd in command and not caring for it! The name of the book was "Make it Count". The back explained the basic philosophy: do something that matters to YOU. I didn't need to buy the book; I'd already gotten the message. Better still for you not waiting until some possible future day to make it count! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Martin Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 Incredible! Great job Jeff. This is not OT, thanks for sharing! -Mike Martin Casio Mike Martin Photography Instagram Facebook The Big Picture Photography Forum on Music Player Network The opinions I post here are my own and do not represent the company I work for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JpScoey Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 That is just awesome Jeff - to see their smiling faces & full plates of food is truly inspiring... and something you should be very proud of. Well done fella. John. some stuff on myspace Nord: StageEX-88, Electro2-73, Hammond: XK-1, Yamaha: XS7 Korg: M3-73 EXpanded, M50-88, X50, Roland: Juno D, Kurzweil: K2000vp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OB Dave Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 Inspired and inspiring! Too awesome for words. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve LeBlanc Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 Really cool Jeff. http://www.youtube.com/notesleb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kanker. Posted December 17, 2011 Share Posted December 17, 2011 Changing one life is a beautiful thing, but affecting a whole school on the other side of the world? Get down man A ROMpler is just a polyphonic turntable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Force Posted December 17, 2011 Share Posted December 17, 2011 Zak (Jeff) has been performing on "Second Life" for years. I remember his very first "Second Life" gig. Pitchy as hell but successful! Congrats Jeff, you are living the dream. Steve Force, Durham, North Carolina -------- My Professional Websites Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tusker Posted December 17, 2011 Share Posted December 17, 2011 Jeff, This is truly inspiring. You rock! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcgoo Posted December 17, 2011 Share Posted December 17, 2011 you're a good man, Jeff. Very inspiring, thanks. Custom Music, Audio Post Production, Location Audio www.gmma.biz https://www.facebook.com/gmmamusic/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluesKeys Posted December 17, 2011 Share Posted December 17, 2011 I always do several charity events during the year but that looks like it really made a difference. Great Job Jeff!!! Jimmy Those are my principles, and if you don't like them... well, I have others. Groucho NEW BAND CHECK THEM OUT www.steveowensandsummertime.com www.jimmyweaver.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Mullins Posted December 17, 2011 Share Posted December 17, 2011 Jeff: Props to you! You are right...it's easy to get caught up in the day to day BS and not realize how lucky we are. A couple days ago I was just listening to a Louie CK bit about how ungrateful most of us are...he talks about a guy just ranting and raving because he has to press Spanish or English at the beginning of his ATM session. "Dude.....you're getting money from a machine!" So funny (and sad) because it sooooo true..... Anyway, thanks for sharing your talents and your story. Hope you have a great holiday season! Yamaha CK88, Arturia Keylab 61 MkII, Moog Sub 37, Yamaha U1 Upright, Casio CT-S500, Mac Logic/Mainstage + plugins, iPad Camelot + plugins, Spacestation V.3, QSC K10.2 www.stickmanor.com There's a thin white line between fear and fury - Stickman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan O Posted December 17, 2011 Share Posted December 17, 2011 Thanks you sharing this fantastic story. Really awesome. www.esnips.com/web/SongsfromDanO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linwood Posted December 17, 2011 Share Posted December 17, 2011 You go! Nice, Jeff! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAJUSCULE Posted December 17, 2011 Share Posted December 17, 2011 Right on! If you think you feel warm and fuzzy now, wait until you get a chance to visit them. It'll stay with you forever. Eric Website Gear page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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