Warren, NJ (Top40 Charts/ Virgin Mobile USA) Once again, Virgin
Mobile FreeFest tickets have "free'd-out" in just a few minutes, but Virgin
Mobile USA, creator of one of the largest and most critically acclaimed music festivals in the country, today announced that music fans need not worry. Those still wanting to attend can volunteer their time at homeless youth shelters in Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia to earn a ticket to FreeFest through The RE*Generation program, Virgin Mobile's charitable initiative focused on ending youth homelessness.
The 2011 Virgin Mobile FreeFest presented by Kyocera will take place Saturday, Sept. 10, at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Md. Artists include The Black Keys, Deadmau5, Cee Lo Green, Big Sean and TV on the Radio.
"FreeFest has always been about giving back," said Felicia Hill, manager of Viral Campaigns & Brand Initiatives, Virgin Mobile USA. "We give the public an awesome free show and we hope that concert-goers will pay it forward. Whether it be giving a donation or actually volunteering to earn a ticket, we're encouraging fans and customers to help young people less fortunate than themselves."
During the last two FreeFests, nearly $300,000 was raised, and volunteers gave more than 55,000 hours of their time to the cause.
The festival's presenting sponsor, Kyocera, will be showcasing new ways to express its enterprise-wide greening initiative on the festival grounds. The mobile-phone manufacturer, with global headquarters in Japan, also will be following Virgin Mobile's philanthropic lead by collecting donations on-site to aid in the recovery effort from this year's devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
"Kyocera is proud of its long-standing relationship with Virgin Mobile, and we've supported FreeFest each of its six years because we share Virgin's desire to give back to our communities," said Eric Anderson, senior vice president and general manager of sales and marketing at Kyocera Communications Inc. "FreeFest is not only a great music event, but also a fantastic platform for charitable initiatives like the recovery efforts in Japan and Virgin Mobile's RE*Generation project."
Get Involved
Now through Aug. 28 in Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia, the RE*Generation's "Free I.P." program will allow fans to volunteer several hours of time in exchange for a ticket to the free festival. This offer is good while ticket supplies last. Interested volunteers can sign up to help at https://www.virginmobilefreeip.com. Fans can also purchase a Fan e-Pak, which includes a general admission ticket with a portion of the proceeds going to youth homelessness.
Give Back
Although the festival is free, Virgin Mobile is encouraging donations to help provide educational opportunities for homeless youth. Homeless youth organizations working with Virgin Mobile USA include Causecast, Sasha Bruce Youthwork and StandUp For Kids.
"The ongoing recession has hit homeless families particularly hard," said Deborah Shore, executive director of Sasha Bruce Youthwork, a youth and family service agency that has partnered with Virgin Mobile USA and provides outreach, shelter and independent living programs for homeless youth in Washington, D.C.
"Virgin Mobile's commitment to helping provide safe homes for homeless youth is remarkable and couldn't come at a better time," she said. "Helping young people to volunteer in support of families who are struggling to survive is a model approach to lift the entire community. Our partnership with Virgin Mobile will mean - once again - that homeless youth in the nation's capital have more of the tools and supplies necessary to succeed."
The FreeFest volunteer program is powered by an innovative volunteer tracking and rewards technology created by Causecast.
"FreeFest is a great example of the impact consumer brands can make when they put their weight behind causes," said Ryan Scott, CEO of Causecast. "Our volunteer tracking technology was built for this kind of worthwhile program, and we hope it will inspire other companies to do the same."
Flyaway Sweepstakes
Now through Aug. 10 fans can enter to win the Virgin Mobile FreeFest Flyaway sweepstakes with two grand-prize packages, including two FreeFest tickets, a two-night hotel stay in Columbia, Md., and round-trip airfare on Virgin America. Fans can enter via the Virgin Mobile Live Facebook page, sending in a QR Code featured in several Flyaway advertisements, or via text message by texting FESTAWAY to 66937. Text STOP to 66937 to opt-out. The official sweepstakes rules are featured on www.virginmobilefestival.com
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Legal residents of the 48 Contiguous United States (D.C.) 18 years and older. Ends 8/10/11. To enter and for Official Rules, including odds, and prize descriptions, visit www.virginmobilefestival.com. Void in Alaska, Hawaii, and where prohibited.
About Virgin Mobile FreeFest
The 2011 Virgin Mobile FreeFest will be hosted for the third year on the beautiful 40 wooded acres of Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Md., on Saturday, Sept. 10. Those scheduled to appear at this year's FreeFest are The Black Keys, Deadmau5, Cee Lo Green, TV on the Radio, Patti Smith, Empire of the Sun, Cut Copy, Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, Okkervil River, Big Sean, Two Door Cinema Club, Alberta Cross, and Bombay Bicycle Club. The Dance Forest will feature James Murphy, Calvin Harris, Ghostland Observatory, !!!, Porter Robinson, Eclectic Method, and Teddybears. More information is available at www.virginmobilefreefest.com.
