Jenny Babcock and her husband are thankful their music venue business, The Mission, and their home were not damaged after the tornado last week. However, they know that is not the case for many of their neighbors.
Babcock wanted to help. She learned local musician Sam England was reaching out on social media to find out how local musicians could get together to perform for their community and raise funds for those in need.
"It started as a grassroots approach but I knew it would explode. I know our music family is so strong," she said.
Babcock contacted England to help make his idea happen. Receiving verbal OK from one of the city's councilmen to utilize her already designated festival district in front of The Mission, Babcock was able to have a home from the upcoming Jam for Jefferson City - Benefit for Our Neighbors from noon-8 p.m. Sunday at the 900 block of East High Street.
"We had such a short time period to do this, but to make it beneficial for people in immediate need, we needed to have this sooner rather than later," she said. "The concept started with Sam. I definitely give him kudos."
Babcock called out to musicians who call Jefferson City home, hoping they would be willing to donate their talents to the Jam for Jefferson City. The response was overwhelming.
"Sometimes we don't realize what a large music community we have here. There is a long list of musicians playing, but that is the tip of the iceberg of musicians who wanted to play. We just didn't have enough time to include everyone," Babcock said, adding she started the event two hours earlier to accommodate all the musicians performing. "People really wanted to step up and do their part to help. That speaks for our local music community, our city and our neighbors. That is what we are doing, supporting our neighbors."
More than 15 musicians will perform at the Jam for Jefferson City, including Abigail Rose, Cody Tichelkamp, Harrison Sweazea, John Nichols, Jon Hensley, Adam Hunt, Sarah and Mark, Ross Steiner, Love Seats, Brittney and Russell, The Jessy Johnson Band, Rich and Paul, Shea and Shorty, The Missionaries, Wridacule and The Rapture, TwistedTwika, Down Side Up and Old Soul Savage.
Babcock is working with Empire Printing to create T-shirts that will be sold for $15 at the event and available in pre-sales at The Mission's website, with all proceeds benefiting Common Ground.
"Common Ground is helping those displaced after the tornado with specific needs like getting deposits, rent and utilities, or getting them back into properties," she said, adding a representative from Common Ground will also be there to answer questions at the event. "Other donations we receive will be split between them and Habitat for Humanity."
The event is free, but any donation at the gate entrance will be kindly appreciated. Babcock said tables will also be set up for those getting carry out food from The Mission's neighbors, JQ's on High or Prison Brews, who want to enjoy the event; guests can also bring food. Organizers will provide water and have paper cups available, however, Babcock encourages attendees to bring their own water bottles to refill.
"We'll have tents and encourage people to bring their own chairs. There will be no alcohol or coolers allowed, as we are wanting to keep this a family-friendly event," she said, adding they have decided against taking donated non-perishable items. "We recently decided to not pursue accepting items because of logistics and there are better facilitated locations accepting those items elsewhere."
Babcock hopes the Jam for Jefferson City not only raises funds for those with immediate need from disaster relief but also is a way residents can come together to continue strengthening their community.
"We invite people in the neighborhood and throughout the city to come, relax, listen to music, hug some necks, breathe some fresh air and enjoy an afternoon supporting each other," she added.
For more information, email [email protected] or visit themissionjc.com or The Mission on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.