<div><strong>I have a dream and I can't make it happen without you.</strong>
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<div>Hey there. I'm Michael Chorvat, singer/songwriter, music producer, and creator of the <em>Be the Light in the Dark</em> movement.
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<div>Last year, I completed my Breakdown to Breakthrough project of self recording, producing, and releasing 14 songs with accompanying music videos on YouTube for each song. Before I began the project, I was dealing heavily with the mental health challenges of anxiety and depression triggered by grief and loss. It was a period of time in my life where I was feeling so stuck and hopeless. At times I was completely frozen in fear. Instead of keeping it in, I decided to turn what I was experiencing into art. I wanted to publicly share my experience, so that people wouldn’t feel so alone in their own personal struggles.
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<div>The beauty of it all is that by the end of the year and a half project I did breakthrough my anxiety and depression. Since then, I've been envisioning recording an album that could open people's hearts. You know, the kind of album that brings tears, smiles, chills up the spine, and immense insights into this human experience we all go through. An album to uplift the spirit.
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<div>Whether you know it or not...
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<div>You are amazing. You inspire me. You truly give me the reason to get out of bed in the morning and continue to create.
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<div>You see…
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<div>Without my art, my music being heard and shared with others, it’s all quite meaningless.
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<div>That's why I can't do this without you.
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<div>My heart, more than anything, wants to give inspiration back in a big way. This GoFundMe is not only about helping me record my next album. It's about so much more. It’s about expanding a vision that is bigger than me.
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<div>On 11/22/2022 I officially launched the <em>Be the Light in the Dark</em> movement inspiring all to L.O.V.E. (Let Out Vulnerable Emotions) and live the magic of authentically being you. The movement aims to spread awareness of the importance of authenticity and transparency. It shines light on the dark by giving the powerful opportunity to share from the heart in a vulnerable way without fear of judgment, being criticized, or being shamed. I believe that more often than not, people feel like they have to hide who they really are or what they are really going through. I want everyone to know they’re not broken and they’re not alone. The <em>Be the Light in the Dark</em> movement gives the chance to stand for L.O.V.E.
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<div>To coincide with the movement, I opened the Be the Light online store of inspiring apparel, accessories, and gifts that give back. 10% of all sales go to support emotional well-being, mental health awareness and suicide prevention in teens and young adults across the United States. Many people are already rocking Be the Light in the Dark glow-in-the-dark wristbands, stickers, t-shirts, hoodies, hats, mugs and more!
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<div>Now, I want to expand <em>Be the Light in the Dark</em> into a musical movement and I need your help…
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<div><strong>So, what if you helped me write a song? Like, what if you could literally be in a song on the album?!</strong>
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<div><strong>Whoa...really?! YES!!! </strong>Along with your generous contribution to help me open hearts and make my next album a reality, I'm inviting you into the possibility to help me write the lyrics to the “Be the Light in the Dark” anthem. That’s right. Everyone who makes a contribution to this GoFundMe is being given the unique opportunity to share with me something personal about themselves, something authentic and vulnerable, that I will then turn into a song that will be recorded and released on the album. Your name will also be specially included in the physical CD artwork and online digital artwork with a big “THANK YOU” for being my co-writer and collaborator.
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<div>How cool is that?! You’ll forever be a part of the music and the movement. You get to eternally Be the Light in the Dark with me.
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<div><strong>We get to create it together.</strong>
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<div>This means your story, your life, your own personal human experience, along with everyone else who contributes, will become the lyrics to a song that will live on. I’ve already started recording the album and intend on completing it in early Spring 2024.
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<div>And since I love giving so much…
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<div><strong>EVERY PERSON WHO CONTRIBUTES GETS SOMETHING BACK!!! </strong>
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<div>The more you give, the more your receive:
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<div><strong>$1</strong> - You are great and get a personal message from me that is sure to inspire you.
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<div><strong>$5</strong> - You are the best and get a Be the Light in the Dark sticker
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<div><strong>$10 </strong>- You are awesome and get a Be the Light in the Dark glow-in-the-dark bracelet and sticker combo
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<div><strong>$15</strong> - You are amazing and get a digital copy of the album in advance before it's officially released plus a Be the Light in the Dark glow-in-the-dark bracelet and sticker
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<div><strong>$25</strong> - You are incredible get a signed physical CD, plus a digital copy of the album before it’s officially released, plus a Be the Light in the Dark glow-in-the-dark bracelet and sticker
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<div><strong>$50</strong> - You are extraordinary and get a signed physical CD when it comes out, plus digital copy of the album before it's officially released, plus a Be the Light in the Dark glow-in-the-dark bracelet and sticker, plus a really freakin' cool exclusive T-shirt because you rock so hard!
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<div><strong>$100</strong> - You are beyond cool and you are guaranteed to get your name and a special thank you in the CD booklet, you also get a signed physical CD when it comes out, plus digital copy of the album before it's officially released, plus a Be the Light in the Dark glow-in-the-dark bracelet and sticker, plus a really freakin' cool exclusive T-shirt because you rock so hard, plus a very special surprise gift!
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<div><strong>$250</strong> - You are super stellar and get everything that you get for a $100 contribution plus a personalized song that I write and record especially for you or for someone you love on my iphone (basic acoustic guitar and vocal recording).
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<div><strong>$500</strong> - You are next level and get and get everything that you get for a $100 contribution plus a personalized song that I write and professionally record especially for you or for someone you love (high quality acoustic guitar and vocal professional recording).
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<div><strong>$1000</strong> - You are a total rockstar and get everything that you get for a $100 contribution plus a personalized song that I write and professionally record with a full band especially for you or for someone you love. You get to choose what instruments you want on the recording and what you want the music to sound like (high quality full band recording featuring multiple instruments like bass, drums, keyboard and vocals).
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<div><strong>Here's how your generous contribution will be used and the special bonuses that come when you hit certain levels of giving.</strong>
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<div><strong>$13,000</strong> - total that needs to be raised to make it all happen
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<div>Here's the full breakdown of costs:
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<div><strong>$8,000</strong> covers the cost to record and release the album. This includes:
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<li>Professionally recording all of the music
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<li>Getting the songs mixed by a music producer 
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<li>Mastering the album 
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<li>Getting CDs pressed
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<li>Mailing out CDs and merchandise to contributors
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<div><strong>$5,000 </strong>- promotional and marketing budget to get the musical movement seen and heard.  This includes:
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<li>Google Ads
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<li>Facebook and Instagram Ads
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<li>TikTok and YouTube Ads
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<li>Spotify Ads and Paid Playlists
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<li>Online Marketing Funnels
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<div>*All contributions over the $13,000 goal will be used towards making an even more epic sounding album, potential music collaborations with well known artists/bands, releasing a limited edition album on vinyl, and having a bigger marketing budget to grow the musical movement. 
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<div><strong>How 'bout them apples:</strong> I am donating 10% of all contributions to my good friend who lives in Indonesia who is struggling financially right now. This is another way I'm choosing to give back from the to someone who is in need right now.
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<div>Like the universe, this is an ever expanding Gofundme campaign and it could change and become even more amazingly awesome at any moment! As creations come, they will be added.
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<div>Thank you so much for being a part of it. I am so very grateful for your support and participation in making my dream a reality.
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<div>With gratitude,
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<div>- Michael
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Diane Cain

Christopher Mason

Michael Chorvat

Chris Nickele

Stephen Di Cicco

Alanna Bagladi

Jonathan Abbinanti

john Bzdusek

Ellen Wild

CSL Santa Cruz

Taylor Bales

Robert Hayek

Ayata Aeala

Lorenzo Aranda

Emily Lewis

Colleen Kerins

Mary Davis-Lauth

Daniel Paul Nelson

Donna Donovan

Nicole Wade

Be the Light in the Dark and Open Hearts

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Be the Light in the Dark and Open Hearts

Still $9,851 to go. Help us build momentum.