When Neal Havener calls and asks if you would work on something with him, you just say yes. That’s been my approach anyway. I don’t even need the details. If Neal is involved I know it’s going to be good and serving a good purpose. Most recently I contributed vocals to the song “There’s a Light at the End of World” written by Neal with the goal of helping refugees in the Central Ohio area. Many other Columbus musicians chipped in to lend a helping hand and/or voice.
Enjoy the video and here is the link to contribute to the cause. LINK to the GoFundMe fundraiser: https://gofund.me/0ca57e4f. (Below that is more detailed information and the project and the cause.)
“There’s a Light at the End of the World”
Over 40 area local stars* and musicians have joined in song to create a “We are the World” type ballad and video to help refugees and immigrants from Ukraine, Afghanistan, and all over the world find a little help in Central Ohio.
From long-time local veterans like Shaun “Dammit” Booker, Happy Chichester, Colin Gawel, Donna Mogavero, and John Schwab (of McGuffy Lane fame) to newer sensations like Joey Hebdo and Trey Pearson. To the youngest of all, the boys & girls singing with the Clintonville Community Children’s Choir (C4).
They all have a common goal – to help our fellow human beings through song.
All sales of the song go to Community Refugee & Immigration Services (or CRIS), which helps legal immigrants – often the victims of war, persecution, conflict and violence – find help and support in Central Ohio.
The song is accompanied by a music video (directed by Stephen Webster), and both the song and video will be officially released on Nov.13th, coinciding with a “Light at the End of the World” fundraiser for CRIS at GoFundMe.com.
“Out of the blue, Neal reached out and asked us if he could create a song and video to benefit CRIS,” said Tyler Reeve, Director of Development and Engagement for CRIS. “Frankly, it was a bit odd! We’ve never had this type of donation before, but we figured ‘Well, why not?’”
“I sometimes get so overwhelmed and saddened by the news of the world,” said Neal Havener, the songwriter and co-producer. “But I realized that doing something, ANYTHING, to put out some good vibes, and to hopefully raise some money for a good cause – Well, that sure beats doing nothing.”
“When I reached out for help with the project, the response was amazing,” Havener said. “Our local musician’s community is both ridiculously talented and incredibly generous.”
To Harold “Happy” Chichester, it’s a simple equation. “If we can help each other, let’s help each other,” Chichester said. “You might need some help yourself sometime.”
Columbus Blues Hall of Fame inductee Shaun Booker put it this way: “Singing is like medicine for me, and for those to whom I sing my voice is my gift from God.”
There’s no shortage of people in need of help.
The UN reports that in the first months of 2022, more than 100 million individuals were displaced, worldwide, as a result of persecution, conflict, violence or human rights violations. (UNrefugees.org)
So far, just in 2022, CRIS has welcomed refugees from Ukraine, Afghanistan, Syria, Pakistan, Nepal, Iraq, El Salvador, Honduras, Venezuela, Myanmar, Somalia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Uganda, South Sudan, and Rwanda, according to Reeve.
CRIS provides a variety of services and resources, including resettlement, legal, family, and employment services, and health and wellness programs.
A 2015 report on the impact of refugees in Central Ohio states that “The central Ohio refugee community contributes $1.6 billion to the Columbus Metropolitan Statistical Area economy and supports 21,273 jobs in the region.”
And, “With 13.6 percent of employed refugees age 16 and older owning a business compared to 6.5 percent of the general population in the same age group, refugees are more than twice as likely to be entrepreneurs.”
“Helping others, and working together, is good for the soul,” Havener said. “And it’s also a lot of fun. But when I read statistics like that, I realize that it’s also just good, common sense.”
For more about CRIS, visit www.CRISohio.org
LINK to the GoFundMe fundraiser:
*Partial List of Musicians
Arkadiy Gips, violin (Arkadiy, an immigrant himself, was born in Ukraine, studied violin in both Russia and Ukraine, and has performed internationally, including a tour with Madonna)
Shaun Booker, (International Blues Artist. Columbus Blues Alliance Hall of Famer)
Trey Pearson, (International Christian LGBTQ artist, PBS, etc.)
Eric Gnezda (Songs at the Center)
Donna Mogavero (local legend)
John Schwab (major record label star, McGuffey Lane, etc)
Happy Chichester (major record label star, RC Mob, Howlin’ Maggie, local legend)
Andy Harrison, electric guitar (major label artist, road warrior for Sheryl Crow, Beck, Peter Frampton, Katy Perry, etc. etc.)
Kevin Patrick Sweeney, keyboards (Shadowbox Live)
Carlton Smith (major record label star, RC Mob, etc.)
Colin Gawel (major record label star, Watershed, etc.)
Mike McGraner (Emmy Award winner)
Joey Hebdo (“New” star of the Columbus scene)
Jeff Tobin (Singer-songwriter extraordinaire)
Billy Zenn (local legend)
The Clintonville Community Children’s Choir (C4)
C4 directed by Adrielle Van Bibber
Engineered and Produced by Tom Boyer, GBS Records
Video Production by Stephen Webster
ADDITIONAL QUOTES:
Stephen Webster, who shot and directed the video, said, "All of the love that Neal, Tom and all of the talented musicians brought to this project and its mission – how could I not get involved?”
“This country is made mostly of immigrants,” said Paisha Thomas, musician and activist. “And it is a shame that people today can’t easily come here to find a better life without being harassed by people who are steeped in xenophobia. Perhaps this song might bring them some hope.”