Money is important clearly. We all have bills to pay, families to provide for and little luxuries we might be lucky enough to indulge in.
But moving beyond the necessities, is gaining more material possessions really the point?
We all have different life situations and expectations and I’m not one to judge anyone else’s decisions on what they do with their hard-earned.
For me it’s important to give back. To try and help other people who might not have the same opportunities; or to support causes that help preserve our planet and the different life forms upon it.
I was lucky enough to travel to Kenya, Malawi and Mozambique in the early 2000’s and see the work of some pretty special people in remote communities. There was poverty, but there was also an infectious wealth of spirit. It moved me. I tried to support their collective work.
In 2010, I set up a fundraising event on Valentine’s Day called Hug For Hearts – in honour of my late brother who lost his life to a congenital heart disease when we were young. Instead of buying flowers or chocolates, we asked people to donate some money to the Heart Foundation in return for a hug (or kiss). We raised some money for their great work.
In 2015, whilst wandering aimlessly through the Rose Street Markets in Melbourne one day, I came across a guy selling photos and art of his travels and work supporting orphaned kids in rural communities in parts of Africa. His name was Steve Argent.
At the time I was looking to launch an online-only ‘for-purpose’ music festival – LOVEBUSK (this was pre-pandemic … timing I know!) … we struck up a conversation and I was inspired by his selflessness, his work and his dedication to support others.
4 months later on the UN International Day of Happiness, a passionate team of volunteers helped over 20 artists and inspiring speakers, from 6 continents, busk live from their computer or mobile devices. Fans logged in from over 25 countries and we raised over $4,000 for OrphFund and other for-purpose partners.
I wished we’d raised a lot more for their work, but I’ve come to understand that it’s not necessarily all about how much you raise (although that is pretty important!).
It’s about trying your best to support someone, even if it is just to help one person. Hopefully others feel inspired to take action and support at least one other person. And so the positive forward momentum continues.
OrphFund has now become I Am Someone and they create projects that lift children, with no family support, out of extreme poverty – and empower communities to provide children with access to education, shelter, health care and nutrition.
It is 100% volunteer run and Steve is still the heart of the organisation he has run for nearly 20 years.
You should check his / their work out here https://iamsomeone.org.au/ and support if you can.
For every artist booking my company Sound Advice Music makes, we donate 2 terms worth of secondary education for a child in an I Am Someone Children’s Village in rural Kenya.
There are many great books around that talk about the importance of linking your work with purpose and taking more corporate social responsibility.
“The Promise Of A Pencil” by Adam Braun; “Charity Case” by Dan Pallotta; “Start With Why” by Simon Sinek, “The Leader Who Had No Title” by Robin Sharma are just a few.
Clearly I’m not a major (or minor) corporate, but I’m lucky enough to be able to do something. Even if it’s just a little bit now.
For me it gives the ‘work’ more meaning. I do love my music work, but to know that through my ‘day job’ I can provide a little bit more support to Steve’s work with the kids and the communities is really important and it motivates me to do more.
And why wouldn’t you?
I have no problem with a ‘for profit’ mentality, but we all have a responsibility to connect it to ‘for purpose’.
As one of my favourite artists Ben Lee says “we are all in this together.”
