Benefit Concert at Stuart`s Opera House Raises

Benefit Concert at Stuart’s Opera House
Raises Money, Hope for Meigs County
Performances by Jonathan Edwards, Jill Colucci, McGuffey Lane,
Grassinine benefited Connect Appalachia Broadband Initiative Fund
Media Contact: Brad Ingles
[email protected]
(614) 313-6951
For Immediate Release
October 15, 2014
NELSONVILLE – Connect Ohio presented its second annual benefit concert featuring Jonathan
Edwards, McGuffey Lane, Grassinine, and others on Saturday at Stuart’s Opera House in
Nelsonville. The performers all have ties and commitment to the Appalachian region and
returned once again to host a benefit concert to support the Connect Appalachia Broadband
Initiative (CABI) Fund. All proceeds benefit the Fund to provide computers and technology
training for Appalachian Ohio households in need. This year the money raised will be focused
toward Miegs County.
“It’s such an important event because we have to help the youth,” said performer Jill Colucci.
“Children are our future and it just feels great to be a part of it. I would love to come back here
and play again.”
The funds raised will be used to provide students in Miegs County with computers. The mission
of CABI is to pull Appalachia Ohio to within state and national standards in broadband adoption
by identifying and coordinating resources required for facilitating affordable broadband access
and driving adoption through digital literacy. The CABI Fund was created in January of 2013,
administered through the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio to provide individuals, corporations,
and foundations a platform to participate in the cause to help Appalachian Ohio get connected.
In 2012 more than 20,000 Appalachian Ohio households gained first time access to the Internet
in part through the efforts of CABI. The fund was created through initial investment from
Chesapeake Energy, and along with Intel’s financial support has allowed the philanthropic effort
to come to fruition.
Corporate sponsors of the concert included: Donatos Pizza, Connect Ohio, and The Foundation
for Appalachian Ohio, CABI, and Nelsonville TV.
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About Connect Ohio: Connect Ohio, a division of Connected Nation, is a leading technology
organization committed to bringing affordable high-speed Internet and broadband-enabled
resources to all Ohioans. Connect Ohio effectively raises the awareness of the value of
broadband and works to improve technology access, adoption, and use through its programs.
Connect Ohio is a nonprofit, technology-neutral public-private partnership. For more information
about what Connect Ohio is doing to accelerate technology in Ohio's communities, visit
http://www.connectohio.org. Follow Connect Ohio on Facebook and Twitter.
About the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio:
The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO) is a regional community foundation serving the 32
counties of Appalachian Ohio. A 501(c)(3) public charity, the Foundation creates opportunities
for Appalachian Ohio’s citizens and communities by inspiring and supporting philanthropy. For
more information about FAO, visit www.appalachianohio.org.