Community

Project Warmth

Join Project Warmth "in Concert" to Beat the Cold This Winter!

Imagine living on the streets in the dead of winter. 17 degrees fahrenheit, with just a thin blanket to keep you and your children warm. It's more common than you might think – the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services claims 600 THOUSAND people in the United States are homeless on any given night.

The EveryDay Angels Foundation has established "Project Warmth" to help address the needs of these many people literally left "out in the cold" each winter. The concept is simple: collect coat and blanket donations as the "cost" of admission to a concert, show, sporting event, or party, and distribute them to those in need.

This fall and winter, we want to encourage as many venues as we can nationwide to take part in Project Warmth. You book the show or event, and the EDAF will help coordinate the donation process and provide press releases and publicity.

We are now planning this season's show schedule. For a complete details, please go to the Project Warmth Events Schedule page.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Project Warmth?
Simply put, the idea of Project Warmth is to hold an event (music, sporting, or otherwise) and ask that the people attending bring an article of warm clothing or blanket instead of paying an admission charge. The clothing and blanket donations will then be given to people who need them to keep warm this winter.

How does Project Warmth work?
Musical artists (and people that want to make a difference) arrange and book shows. Instead of a cover charge or entrance fee, attendees are asked to bring a bit of warm clothing or a blanket. After the event the donations are sorted and given to a local charity that will distribute them to people that can use something to ward off the chill of winter. The EDAF will provide coordinators, a place to take the donations, general support in planning the event, and help with the promotion.

What is the EDAF?
The EveryDay Angels Foundation (EDAF) supports and promotes grassroots community involvement. We believe that we are all in this together and are truly each other's "everyday angels," responsible to and for one another. The actions of each of us, no matter how seemingly insignificant, have a profound effect on those around us. Becoming aware of this, and actively exercising our ability to create positive change is the first step to a better world for all of us. We encourage individual awareness of the world we live in, and thoughtful choice as to how to affect the most positive change. Our programs involve bringing together partnering organizations and volunteers who are willing to lend a hand. Head to www.edaf.org for more info.

Where did the idea of Project Warmth come from?
EDAF member Jason Vierling originated the idea several years ago, employing a then unknown Jason Mraz as the headliner of a Living Room Concert (yes, it was actually held in a living room!) for the first Project Warmth concert.

How do I get involved with Project Warmth?
Well, if you are reading this FAQ, you have already taken the first steps! Once you have finished reading what we are about, email us at EDAFinfo@aol.com to let us know you are interested in lending a hand. There are many areas in which we need volunteers, such as: performing a show, being a coordinator, help in promoting the project, helping to fold and sort donations after a show in your area, etc. A more detailed breakdown is at the end. We look forward to hearing from you!

What do I get out of Project Warmth?
The chance to enjoy a good show or event and meet new people while knowing that you're helping to keep someone less fortunate from freezing this winter.

Does Project Warmth cost me anything?
Yes, it costs three things.
1) A little of your time spent planning or attending an event.
2) An old sweater you've not worn in years hidden away in your closet.
3) The initiative to add 1+2, resulting in a coat or blanket for a person who might otherwise only have a blanket of snow this winter.
If you volunteer to be a coordinator or researcher, there may also be a few small out-of-pocket expenses such as long distance phone calls. These will be discussed with you in advance and you will choose what you are comfortable doing.

Where exactly will the clothing and blanket donations go?
We are dedicated to the idea of thinking globally, acting locally. We will make every effort to see that the donations are distributed in the area in which they were collected. Once we determine where each event will take place, we will identify a local organization that distributes clothing and blankets directly to those in need.

What if people bring cash instead of coats?
Due to the nature of this project, we are looking to make a direct impact in each community that supports Project Warmth. While hard cash would definitely benefit the cause, the only way at this time that we can be sure that local proceeds go to local needs is to keep the donations on a warm clothing basis. However if you would like to make a donation to the EDAF and its other projects directly you can mail a check payable to the EveryDay Angels Foundation to:
EveryDay Angels Foundation
PO Box 301, East Taunton, MA 02718

I am of limited means and time, but wish to contribute – how?
The next time you clean out your closets, save that old coat, sweater, or blanket; then attend an event in your area! Drop us an email at EDAFinfo@aol.com and let us know you'd like a schedule of events. Or you can volunteer to do some research or to show up at an event to collect the donations, take photos or video, or other similar tasks.

Who can participate in Project Warmth?
We encourage people of all ages to work towards making a positive difference in the world. However, if you are under 18 please consult with your parent or guardian on how your family can be involved in Project Warmth.

Will you book a show or event for me?
Unfortunately, we cannot. We encourage you to discuss this idea with family and friends to come up with an event to participate in. We can, however, keep you abreast of other Project Warmth shows if you sign up for our newsletter by sending an email to EDAFinfo@aol.com with the subject line "SUBSCRIBE".

Can I Make Money on Project Warmth?
Musicians or other performers at the show may feel free to sell their cds or promo items, but other than that, no. While we do not discourage capitalism, this project was conceived to help our fellow man, not our pocketbook.

What about liability and insurance?
The EDAF cannot accept any liability for any occurrences which may take place at a Project Warmth show or event. Please make sure your venue has proper insurance coverage.

If I sign on for Project Warmth, what will my responsibilities be exactly?

1) Musicians, artists, performers:

Book a show.
Make sure the venue is fully aware and supportive of the Project Warmth idea and agrees to its terms.
Keep in touch with your assigned coordinator on all aspects or changes for the show.
Work with the EDAF and your coordinator on publicity and advertising for the show.
Try to enlist some of your fans or friends to help out at the show by taking photos and/or video, collecting and counting donations, and talking to attendees about Project Warmth (we will need to count on local attendees for reports, photos, video, etc. that we can use for our website once the shows are over).
If possible, offer an incentive such as a promo cd, button, poster, etc. to attendees who bring a donation.

2) Coordinators:

Work with your assigned volunteers to research local non-profit organizations that will accept the clothing and blanket donations for each show.
Make sure someone from the non-profit or an EDAF volunteer is on hand at each event to handle the donations and get them where they need to be afterwards.
Keep in constant contact with your assiged event point-people (ie. musicians, venues, hosts) to make sure everything is progressing.
Keep the EDAF Board up to date on all goings-on.
Communicate with the Senior Coordinator and all other coordinators via email and/or designated chats.

3) Volunteers (may do all or some or one of the following depending on what you sign on for):

Help coordinators with research of local non-profit organizations that handle blanket and clothing donations.
Be on hand at an event to collect, count, and transport the donations.
Be on hand at an event to take photos and/or video of the event.
Be on hand at an event to make a report of the event; ie. get feedback from attendees, write a review of the event).

4) Venues:

If a venue wishes to participate, they will be responsible for making sure the participants are fully aware and supportive of the Project Warmth idea.
Keep in contact with your assigned coordinator on all aspects or changes for the show.
Work with the EDAF and your coordinator on publicity and advertising for the show.
Try to enlist volunteers or staff members to help out at the show by taking photos and/or video, collecting and counting donations, and talking to attendees about Project Warmth (we will need to count on local attendees for reports, photos, video, etc. that we can use for our website once the shows are over).
If possible, offer an incentive such as free beverage or food, button, or poster to attendees who bring a donation.

If you would like to get involved or receive more information this project, email us.

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