Ideas and Details

As the day of the webathon draws closer, it seems that there are increasingly more things to do. While there is some truth to that, we are also making never-ending progress towards our September 13^th goal. A forceful creative drive is seen in everyone at each team meeting. Many of us are ideas people, shooting for the stars with no known concept of the impossible. Our team also consists of details people. These are the individuals we need in order to be successful. Not only do details people contribute to the storm of ideas, but they make them happen!

Some of the latest creative ideas that this group has brought to life are as follows:

Personal Testimonials

With our telethon, we really want to emphasize that diabetes effects all kinds of people, not just the very old, the over weight, or the unhealthy. To help us emphasize this point, we are working on getting interviews with everyday people who happen to have diabetes. Valissa Smith at KSHB Channel 41 will be helping with this!

Performers

Since Kansas City has such an abundance of talent, it has been difficult deciding whom to contact for this special event. One of our fabulous volunteers suggested showcasing productions that are currently happening in the KCMO area. That way, not only do we get top notch entertainment for our webathon, but also the performers get to advertise for their upcoming shows. Exploring the possibility of replaying old performances (or even performances the Hurley family has been in) has opened many doors in regards to potential entertainment.

Overcoming Technical Difficulties

Our old mantra of “Microphones microphones everywhere, but not a mic to sing” is no more! We got our hands on not 1, not 2, but 4 microphones for our talent. All these mics are functioning…and gorgeous! Check out our 2 vintage microphones.

Check back for updates about the performers you can see! Be sure to follow us on Twitter at @HelpingHandsWeb and check out our website. 

Music gives a soul to the universe

"Music gives a soul to the universe." 

The above quote is attributed to none other than Plato. Although he uttered these words thousands of years ago, he knew exactly what he was talking about. You don’t have to be a musician, or a philosopher, to understand how influential and powerful music is. Everyone has been listening to the radio, and then a special moment sneaks up on you. Sometimes, this moment is happy, sometimes sad. It can be inspiring or infuriating.  Clearly, music means different things to different people. It sets the mood for emotion and conversation. Since we want to create an exciting atmosphere, it is crucial to pick the right music for the Helping Hands Webcast.

Our director, Pete Barrett, has spent the better part of two days combing through 22 discs of library music. However, this is not music that anyone will recognize. Rather, it is simply music with a specific mood, flavor, or feel. He is specifically focusing on happy, energetic, and hopeful moods. I suggested just using the soundtrack to Space Jam. For some reason this idea was shot down pretty quickly.

The selected music will be used to play going into and coming out of promo breaks. In the broadcast industry, this is called “bump music.” Finding the right  bump music is essential to presenting a professional production. Think about it. What if you were watching FOX 4 News at 5, and they start blasting U2’s“Vertigo” before they roll into a commercial. This could really turn some people off (although I cannot fathom anyone disliking U2…). Or what if you turn on KCTV 5 News at 9am to hear Jay Z’s “99 Problems”? Again, I’d be into it….but something tells me I am in the minority.

We want music that will keep people tuned in, keep donating, and encourage people to tell their friends about the Helping Hands Webcast. The correct music is only one small puzzle piece to this intricate broadcast. September 13^th is creeping up on us, and we still have many things to accomplish. But have no fear; it will be an event to remember, and an event that will affect one awesome family in a very awesome way.

In the mean time, we highly encourage you to check out the Space Jam soundtrack for your Sunday listening pleasure.

Check us out on Twitter @HelpingHandsWeb for live tweeting during our broadcast! 

-HHW

What's Going On?

One of my favorite videos on the Internet is He-Man singing, “What’s Up?” by 4 Non Blondes. If you haven’t seen it, it is simply a shotty lip dub of two guys belting the 90’s anthem to old videos of He-Man.  I highly recommend you check it out. Despite being titled “What’s Up?”, the chorus incessantly asks, “What’s going on??” By the end of this post, you all will be able to answer that age-old question. You all will know what is going on.

            So, what is Helping Hands Webcast? 

Helping Hands Webcast is many things, but above all, it is unique. It is the world’s first (!!) telethon that will be conducted entirely through the web. A webathon, if you will. On September 13^th, we are taking the Internet by storm. Not only that, it is the first telethon that is done to exclusively benefit one family. In this case, a wonderful family that is more than deserving of support.

All donations will be given to the Hurley family of Shawnee, Kansas. Paul Hurley, husband to Trudy and father to Lauryn, has been living with diabetes since he was a child. 40 years later, the disease has taken its toll. Paul has had a kidney transplant, has lost the use of his legs, and has lost a foot to diabetes. However, Paul has not lost his fight. Despite these unbelievable challenges, Paul has maintained a positive outlook. Having recently been paralyzed, the Hurleys must redo the entire interior of their home: wheel chair lifts, roll-in shower, installing ramps to the front door, etc. Renovations are expensive. Not to mention the titanic medical bills they will be facing. Paul and his family are long time family friends to many. They are also highly involved in the Kansas City theatre community. If you have seen any show at a local community theatre, chances are you have seen a Hurley.

Trudy, Lauryn, and Paul Hurley a few years ago. 

We will be utilizing Kansas City’s vibrant and talented theatre community to provide top-notch entertainment for the Helping Hands Webcast.  You can expect performances from sensational vocalists, riveting musicians, dance companies, and some more off beat performances from stilt walkers, contortionists, and maybe even fire breathers! While this event is run entirely by volunteers, we are sparing no expense. We are pulling out all the stops for the Hurley family.

Get ready for a telethon of the contemporary era. A telethon without telephones! Get ready for a telethon strictly over the web. From collecting donations to broadcasting the actual event, it will all be done with the help of everyone’s best friend, the World Wide Web.

We have never undertaken anything this colossal before; it will be quite the journey. A journey that will be documenting here! Follow this blog for how we are eating this massive elephant. Expect to meet the creative crew of this fun event, get behind the scenes details, and donating details so you can be a part of this unique fundraiser.

So, what’s going on? Well…a lot. We still have many positions to fill, talent to find, videos to shoot, sets to create, and hands to help (too cheesy? I don’t care!). But that is what this blog is for, documenting this exciting process.

Be sure to follow us on Twitter  @HelpingHandsWeb for updates now and live tweeting during our September 13^th broadcast.

If you would like to donate right now, great! Check out our website for how to contribute. 

This is just the beginning.

 We have a long way to go, but with a lot of hard work comes a great reward. 

-HHW