We’re still working our way across the country on the Gift Card Drive! We had a wonderful night in Wilmington, NC, with the men and women of Outside the Walls , a local initiative committed to making a difference in their community through the mentorship of at-risk youth.  Complete with salsa dancing and a group sing-along, the party was a beautiful celebration of friendship and love that only partially captured the powerful work of Outside the Walls and all the care and support they continue to share with those who need it most.

The next day we beat the sun and hit the road before daybreak to drive to the one and only New York, NY.  In a hip club in Greenwich Village we got the opportunity to partner with the Caleb Hope Foundation for their annual Rock India Benefit Concert.  The Caleb Hope Foundation works to mobilize individuals from the artist and professional communities in the inner city to empower the poorest of the poor in India.  The Rock Indian Benefit Concert aimed to raise awareness and financial support for orphans living in slums in Northern India with all the proceeds of the night going to help provide them with basic supplies they would not have otherwise. We had a great time enjoying the music of Zach Williams, a good friend of Gift Card Giver, and took some time following the concert to do a little sight seeing of the city that never sleeps.

Following our stay in the Big Apple, we took a drive through upstate New York and met up with the lovely people of Let Them LOL in Buffalo, NY.  Let Them LOL is a non-profit started by Joe and Kate Vacanti working to alleviate unjust suffering around the world, with their first project being to build clean water wells in Sierra Leone, Africa, through the sell of a unique laughing ring tone.  We couldn’t have asked for a better group of supportive individuals, with their infectious energy and passion for the children of Sierra Leone reminding us why we are on this tour in the first place.  Refreshed and inspired, we are looking forward to another week on the Card Me National Summer Tour and to continue meeting wonderful people involved in their communities and creating social change through their creative efforts.  To join in on the fun, please check out our other tour dates by visiting either our Card Me National Summer Tour Site or our Gift Card Giver Website.