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Josh Pfannkuche would like to thank you all in his own words:
"This
amazing thing, this life form, that Antiviolence has become, how can
everyone be properly thanked for all that they have done and are doing?
If you feel forgotten, please, do not hold that... you may not be
mentioned, but your efforts are appreciated in the hearts of all
involved. A broad and general thanks wouldn't be adequate though, so we
attempt to go through in order of how we found you to thank you,
starting from the very beginning.
First, and foremost, we directly thank Samuel Pfannkuche for his amazing
heart, kindness, and strength to put this into action. Sam, you couldn't
possibly realize the amount of brilliance and beauty you have in you,
but it's self evident to everyone that knows you. Thank you for your
amazing
efforts and your ability to inspire others.
Cash donors on the site:
People often here how much just a little could help, but we spend so
much time doubting the cumulative efforts really matter. Without the
initial cash donations to the Antiviolence site, we may never have had
the financial solvency to secure the venues that we've used. Without the
initial
outpouring of support, the courage may not have been found to go
knocking on doors, proposing that we have the finances to make the means
happen for charity, but the wisdom to suggest the benefits of giving
time, space, talent, materials, and love from the hearts of so many who
have been
involved.
The wonderful people and groups that donated in this fashion were the
notes that began and amplified what we envision as an opus of care for
those who have had the courage in their hearts attacked. Even the
smallest amount of change donated made a difference, and in the first
few days you people showed us that we could make this happen on a
greater scale than previously
thought. Your kindness inspired others to follow suit, you led the
charge.
Donating Contributors:
WOW! Did you see this?! - those words have been heard so many times
about the wonderful items we've received to use to promote these events.
These things give us the finer talking points that really send home just
how cool this thing is we're doing. So many things! Rare, one-of-a-kind,
signed things.... things we'd gladly pay for.... things we treasure....
things that
help us remember how we got them, where we got them, and what we are a
part of.
Chances are, right now someone's looking at something they won at an
Antiviolence event, or listening to music they got there and/or heard
live there... and chances are it's a small reminders of the power of
benevolence over aggression. These things have a hard time being reduced
to just swag when place those kind of associations with them. By giving
your goods and services to our events, you give people hope and strength
they take home with them and a vehicle by which they can keep talking.
You lend permanence to the cause.
Bands:
So many ideals and themes of the world we wish to create are a part of
the music we create... this is what makes us identify with the music we
love, this is what drives us to be creationists, this is why people get
excited and willing to pay to see bands at these events... these same
fans in fact tend to be the best promotion events can muster, the words
of their mouths often the more motivating sirens calling us to take
action and be a part of a community event. The bands, the music, it's
our common bond, what unites and draws us together in the same place,
what we recognize in the fray.
Lessons we learn from music are so broad ranged... on the surface, we
hear cognitively and rationally analyze this data into something we
consciously recognize... but under the surface it's so much more. In our
subconscious the spoken lessons are embedded within us, hopefully a
positive message, that we could carry with us for life. Music has that
power, and you, the
bands, hold the responsibility of this. In a world where so much is
negative, banal, or just simply pointless, thank you for choosing to use
your talents to make the world better for others.
Promoters:
So often we don't think of those that bring the events to us... we
forget that someone had to more than just think of it, they dedicated
their time, attention, and resources to the quintessential making it
happen. Within every flier that is handed out, every e-mail sent, every
thing posted online, every word spoken, they give that one thing we can
never earn back: time. Every time they are out there hustling to make
things happen instead of just sitting on their butts staring glossily at
some screen, the give that one thing to us which makes them individuals:
their conscious attention. Every time they stick their necks out, taking
a risk on a new venture, they exercise that which is found so rarely in
humans: bravery.
Some people involved in promoting these events have been discouraged,
doubted, ridiculed, and even given unfair ultimatums by those without
the courage you possess to change the world. Stand tall in this and any
adversity you may face in your life; I wish it weren't true, but every
hero
has faced these things, and as long as you truly live, you, too, will
have to overcome the fears of others as well as your own. Be proud that
you are a part of Antiviolence and every positive step you take, every
moment that you choose to partake in the progression of mankind. You
truly make of
yourselves an example to be followed by others.
Attendees:
No battle can be won without an army to carry forth the intent of the
winds of change. To be sure some people just showed up to get free
stuff, see a band, support their favorite DJ, or some combination
thereof, which is great... it's that enjoyment of life we look to
further and also add
something deeper. It does, however, still take motivation to do
something beyond watching the OC. and eating potato chips, and if our
personal experiences have been any indicator of the motives of the
attendees of these events, very nearly every person there has
benevolence and kindness in their hearts; they are looking forward to
the future that they possess and make theirs.
The people that show up, they make the fun and the proof in numbers that
we will not be silenced by apathy, that we have the formidable resolve to
change our worlds around us for the better. All over the world we hear
of atrocities... only by our actions do we have the ability to make a
difference. Please, take that with you in your hearts daily, and look to
improve the world around you, even if only in small ways, every day. By
doing this we bring the strength of ourselves to the rest of the world."
Sincerely,
Josh Pfannkuche |
