Four bars, dozens of musicians play for hurricane relief aid
On Nov. 17, more than two dozen bands will play among four area bars to benefit people the musicians don’t know in an area they’ve likely never been.
But there is one local person who knows the people and the area, which is why she’s spearheading this outpouring of support.
Dee Brown, a longtime fixture in the Toledo arts community, has organized the event, called Humanity Against Hurricanes. The goal is to raise money, supplies and various items for victims of Hurricanes Helene and Milton in Tarpon Springs, Fla.
“What I see now is 24 groups of musicians or soloists who are banning together to do something good for people they don’t even know,” she said.
On the same day, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tarpon Springs and the Tarpon Springs Tattoo Co. will be open to assist those in need and recovering from the storms’ damage. Donations from the Northwest Ohio events will be delivered to the church after Thanksgiving.
How it began
It began with a simple suggestion. Brown said a musician friend recommended she put together a benefit for Floridians.
“He knows I organize a lot of events,” she recalled, “so I said, ‘Let’s do it.’ I was going to do just one, but then someone else was interested, and I wondered how many other places might be interested. Then I wondered if we can get the whole 419 involved.”
“I picked Tarpon Springs because I have family and friends there. I know how hard they got hit in both hurricanes,” Brown said. “People there are trying to help their neighbors. People lost everything.”
Even those who had next to nothing to begin with are in need. “The unhoused people had a place to go during the storm, but now they’re back out on the street. Every shelter they had is now gone,” Brown said.
“We’ll be working in the Hispanic and deaf communities, who were underwhelmed with assistance,” Brown said. Also to be aided are those who couldn’t escape the storm.
Brown connected with the church and the tattoo house, both of which agreed to accept the donations of money and items and distribute them to the needy.
What’s needed
Brown listed the following needed items: Building and cleaning supplies; personal care items; new shoes for children and adults, socks, underwear, blankets; cases of water; and gift cards to big-box stores.
“We need a box truck to take the supplies down there and get back, or a rental truck to get there and a rental car to drive back. We desperately need help with that,” Brown pleaded.
“My son and I are going to take the week off after Thanksgiving and drive the supplies down there. And I’ll personally be delivering supplies to some places, like 55-and-over sites. The church is helping us organize this.”
She added that they are asking for direct donations to the church with a notation that it’s for the hurricane fund. Details are available at Tarpon.
At the core of this event – free to attend – are the musicians donating their time and talent, as well as the host bars.
Tyler Householder said when his Brewing Green craft brewery was asked to be a venue, there were no second thoughts.
“It fits into what we’re trying to be in the community,” he said. Householder said Brewing Green regularly hosts local musicians and takes part in local benefit drives. This, though, is on a larger scale.
“We’re happy to be a part of something like this,” he said. “It’s testimony to the Northwest Ohio community in general.”
Brown agrees. “This is a supportive community. They really have your back. The 419 means a lot to my heart. Some people say bad things about it, but this is a beautiful place to be.”
Regarding Toledo, she added that “it’s a city full of music, a city full of art, a city full of love.”
