Blues News #694

Since 2013, the blues community has been coming together annually to donate time, talents and enthusiasm to generate funds for the homeless and less fortunate.
Blues for Lost Souls is a fundraising, change making, event organised by Greg Dodd and a cast of, well, not thousands, but it feels like that with the donations which come in for the silent auction and such like. Live bands play for free, donated items are sold in the silent auction or raffled and a collection point allows everyone to contribute food and clothing for the homeless.
To date, Blues for Lost Souls has raised over $100,000 and supported a range of charities. In 2018 the recipients of the funds raised will be Melbourne based Anonymous X (75 per cent of money raised) and Bali based charity Solemen Indonesia (25 per cent of money raised).
The founder of Blues for Lost Souls has had life changing experiences as a volunteer with both of these charities. He encourages us all to make a difference not just for the less fortunate but for ourselves… so get involved.
The Anonymous X Team is a small group of devoted voluntary team leaders who in addition to managing both the administrative and warehouse needs, also offer practical and emotional support in a variety of different and unique ways. They are a registered charitable organisation based out of Port Melbourne, where they provide assistance for people experiencing homelessness in and around Melbourne, in addition to supporting those less fortunate via clothing, sanitary and essential items.
What differentiates Anonymous X from other grassroots organisations is they maintain relationships with people we meet on the streets, offering comfort and support doing their best to help.
Solemen Indonesia, an Indonesian non-profit foundation, provides direct support and funding for the disadvantaged and ‘diffabled’ (differently abled) in Bali. Established in October 2010, Solemen is one of Bali’s most trusted and visible charities. The Governor of Bali is Solemen’s ‘Pelindung’ (Guardian/Patron) and the charity is endorsed by the Bali Government Tourism Office and the Bali Hotels Association.
Despite very often operating on a shoestring budget, Solemen’s fast acting Outreach Team of volunteer doctors, nurses, therapists, nutritionists and social workers shoulder an ever-growing caseload of ‘Solebuddies’ (people under their care). Solemen provide effective and targeted help where it will have the most impact.
Appearing this year will be: The Detonators, Rhythm X Revival, The Kevin Buckingham Band, Greg Dodd and the Hoodoo Men, The Great Unknown, Kelly’s Blues, Phil Manning and our own Chris Wilson.
The silent auction features many musically based items, including an amazing David Temby flute plus jewellery, guitar straps and the like.
If you’re coming to the event, feel free to bring and donate sleeping bags, blankets, and practical street clobber – jeans, track pants, socks, scarves, mittens and beanies. After chats with outreach teams in Indonesia, they decided that both Melolin adhesive dressings and Nit Combs would be ideal to be donated on the day for Solemen.
Blues for Lost Souls is on at the Newport Bowls Club, 2pm August 11. Buy a ticket, even if you’re not going!