Habitat For Humanity

Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, nondenominational Christian housing organization. It was the philanthropy of choice for Down on the Farm II, which made perfect sense in the months surrounding the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. DOTF II Artist Warren Haynes, of Gov't Mule fully supports Habitat with the Warren Haynes Annual Christmas Jam held each year in his home town of Asheville, North Carolina. Habitat welcomes all people to join them as they build simple, decent, affordable houses in partnership with those who lack adequate shelter. Since 1976, Habitat has built more than 175, 000 houses, providing shelter for nearly 900,000 people worldwide. Now at work in 100 countries, they are building a house every 26 minutes. By 2005, Habitat houses will be sheltering 1 million people. Local Habitat affiliates coordinate house building and select partner families. The Spanish Moss Foundation made a gift of $7,305 to Habitat for Humanity New Orelans Area toward Hurrican Katrina Releif in the Ninth Ward Neighborhood of New Orelans and the Chalemette Suburb of New Orleans.

For more information, please visit: www.habitat.org.

Gadsden County Public Schools

Building a case for the need for youth scholarship is an easy task. Building it for youth MUSIC scholarships is stronger still. We must stop and pay attention to the reduced budgets for music programs in our schools and be sure we are feeding the creative hunger of our future artists and musicians. Recognizing the importance of giving back to our host community, the Spanish Moss Foundation is committed to making a difference for music students in the Gadsden County Public Schools. With each gift we make to the Gadsden County Public Schools toward music programs, we hope to help these kids get one step closer to owning their own instruments, having more skilled music teachers, going to summer music camps, and pursuing degree seeking programs such as the well renowned Florida State University School of Music in Tallahassee right here in our own back yard.

For more information, please visit: www.gcps.k12.fl.us

Panic Fans for Food &
America's Second Harvest of Big Bend

Panic Fans for Food is an organization devoted to assisting the hungry by raising food and money at Widespread Panic concerts. This is done in order to leave a positive mark on the communities through which Widespread Panic travels as a gesture of gratitude. The organization would also like to ensure that Widespread continues to play the choice venues throughout the country. They would like to think that their collective efforts go far towards securing this goal. Panic Fans For Food began on October 30, 1999, in New Orleans, Louisiana in conjunction with Widespread Panic's annual Halloween run at UNO Keifer Lakefront Arena. In just over two years, they have gathered over $14,000 in cash and over 15,000 lbs of canned goods for 20 different cities, nationwide.

For more information, please visit:
www.panicfansforfood.org
www.fightinghunger.com

The Music Maker Relief Foundation

The Music Maker Relief Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping the true pioneers and forgotten heroes of Southern musical traditions gain recognition and meet their day to day needs. The Spanish Moss Foundation selected the MMRF to be one of its worthy charities for our inaugural Down on the Farm I. Today, many such musicians are living in extreme poverty and need food, shelter, medical care, and other assistance. Music Maker's aid and service programs improve the quality of recipients' lives. Their work affirms to these artists that we value the gifts of music and inspiration they have delivered to the world. Their mission is to give back to the roots of American music. Their criterion for recipients is they be rooted in a Southern musical tradition, be 55 years or older and have an annual income less than $18,000. The Spanish Moss Foundation made a gift of $1,000 to this cause. We have no doubt musicians and patrons alike will take pride in supporting this worthy cause.

For more information, please visit: www.musicmaker.org.

The Tipitina's Foundation

The history of the Tipitina’s Foundation originates from the Tipitina’s music venue, a revered cultural icon that continues to be instrumental in the development and promotion of New Orleans music and the Blues around the world.  Tipitina’s began as a neighborhood music venue, established in 1977 by a group of young music enthusiasts to pay homage to local pianist and composer, Professor Longhair (Henry Roeland Byrd). The Tipitina’s Foundation, established in 1997, perpetuates and expands the Tipitina’s legacy of community service.  The foundation focuses its efforts and three programs on childhood music education, the professional development of adult musicians and the increased profile and viability of New Orleans music and the Blues, as a cultural, educational, and economic resource.

For more information, please visit: www.tipitinasfoundation.org.