WILLIAMSPORT — The Billtown Blues Association (BBA) is creating a program to help local and regional musicians who have seen a serious loss of income from perfomance cancellations and loss of merchandising due to COVID-19 pandemic.
The BBA has created a funding program to accept donations from those who recognize the artistic value and personal enjoyment received from live music performances and wish in some way support those musicians who are in need of help.
The BBA launched BBACARES on May 1, a project to organize and manage the collection and distribution of funds to our musicians in need.
The BBA is offering an initial donation of $1,000 to launch this project.
Musicians who reside within a 50-mile radius of Williamsport may submit an application for review. Every application will be carefully reviewed by a BBACARES committee, and funding will be dispersed based on need and other qualifiers.
“Our initial goal is a 30-day donation and application submission period, starting May 1 until May 31,” says BBA executive director, Bonnie Tallman. “Funds to qualifying recipients will be disbursed within 14 days after the 30-day acceptance period.”
“The BBA encourages all applicants and donors to carefully review the BBACARES FAQ page on the BBA website,” says BBA vice president, Jared Mondell. “It is here where many anticipated questions may already be answered and answers to new questions that arise once BBACARES is in full swing will be addressed.”
Donor contribution forms and musician applications are both located on the BBA website at www.billtownblues.org/bbacares. Musicians must apply individually, not “as a band” or under a specific band name.
Donations of any amount are accepted.
The Billtown Blues Association is a 501 (3)(C) non-profit organization, and donations payable to the Billtown Blues Association Inc., are deductible as a charitable contribution in accordance with IRS regulations and standards.
All questions or comments about BBACARES should be sent to billtownblues.1990@gmail.com.