Bruce Maier had to help.
When he saw the shocking pictures and heard the heartbreaking stories from the deadly Camp Fire in his old stomping grounds of Butte County, California, he knew he had no choice but to help the people who had lost everything.
“I’ll tell you honestly, there was a tapping on my shoulder and there was a calling,” Maier said. “There were no two ways about it. I knew I had to do something.”
Maier, 65, is a lifelong musician and entertainer. While very comfortable behind the microphone, he decided to attempt something he’d never done — organize a massive music festival, a daylong charity event to raise money for fire survivors.
His vision has come together into an event this coming Saturday at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds: the Paradise Fire Aid Super Jam NW.
From noon until 10 p.m., bands and musicians from around the Pacific Northwest — and as far away as British Columbia and Sacramento — will perform on two stages. (Full disclosure: I will be playing for 15 minutes during the noon hour of the show.)
There will also be a silent auction and raffle for a new acoustic guitar to also raise funds to donate. No alcohol will be served, and it will be a family-friendly event.
Maier has secured donations, sponsorships and volunteers to cover the costs of the concert. For instance, the when he asked for help covering the $1,000 rental of the fairgrounds space and associated costs, he had someone step up to pay for it all within 24 hours.
“They didn’t want a tax receipt or anything, they just wanted to help,” Maier said. “If that isn’t divine intervention, I don’t know what this is.”
Other volunteers: professional sound engineers, an experienced stage manager, experienced cash handlers from the banking industry to keep an eye on the money, and a full crew from Lewis County ABATE to help out with logistics.
The support came quickly when Maier went online last fall, shortly after the fire, to share his dream for a fundraiser musical showcase.
Within 48 hours, he had three times the number of musicians volunteer than he had space on the roster. All are giving their time and talents for free.
Every penny will go to the North Valley Community Foundation in Chico, Calif. This decades-old community group has set up a process to direct donations to fire victims, and only takes 1 percent for administration costs — a remarkably low number.
Maier said he is haunted by the stories of families fleeing the flames, leaving pets behind. He’s shed many tears for the 85 people killed by the fire.
Thousands are still without permanent homes — living in rentals, or hotel rooms or travel trailers. Many are without jobs, as their place of business also burned to the ground. Having lost nearly everything, they are equally uncertain about what the future holds.
Maier hopes to raise $20,000 or more through next Saturday’s music festival. He knows it won’t be nearly enough to solve all the problems, but he knows it will make a difference to those in need — and he hopes it leaves a legacy for those who might have a similar vision to help after future disasters.
“I hope our movement will inspire other musicians, other counties and states, who will see what we’re doing,” Maier said. “Maybe it won’t be this event. It’ll be a twister, a flood. It’s the idea of helping and paying it forward to others.”
In that sense, the venue of the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds, and the Twin Cities as a whole, is perfect.
It was only a dozen years ago, after the devastating flood of 2007 (which deluged the fairgrounds and so much more), that people came from around the nation to help us during our time of greatest need. Many sent money. Others came and rolled up their sleeves to provide short-term disaster relief. Others dug in for a year or more, helping us dig out and rebuild.
When we were in despair, our fellow Americans came to help. And thanks to this weekend’s “Super Jam” in Chehalis, we are giving back.
Keep on rockin’ in the free world, my friends.
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Brian Mittge can be reached at brianmittge@hotmail.com. What songs would you like him to play during his 15 minutes on stage next Saturday? Drop him a line with requests.
