We are happy to announce the launch of the We'll Be There Foundation – a 501(c)(3) subsidiary organization of the Planetary Gigs Society.  The Foundation has been established to provide scholarships to the offspring of Cast C ’86-87 who are accepted to travel with Up With People or to participate in a summer session of Camp Up With People.  Our immediate goal is to raise $20,000 by May 1, 2017 to be able to provide scholarships at least one camper and one UWP traveler for the Summer of 2017.

We have three “asks” of you today:

Donate now to the We’ll Be There Foundation to provide scholarship funds to our own Cast C kids.  If you are a U.S. resident, your donation is deductible and you will be provided with a letter for tax purposes.  (Remember to donate before December 31, 2016 to receive a deduction for this year.)  Checks in U.S. funds can be sent to: We’ll Be There Foundation, 6622 Broad Street, Bethesda, MD 20816, USA or make your donation here at GoFundMe. (If our international cast members would like to set up a tax deductible organization to allow for deductions in your country, we can figure that out too.  This is a first step.)

 
Consider joining the Board of Directors for We’ll Be There Foundation.  We need five members of Cast C ’86-87 who will design the application and review process, review applications for funding, and distribute the funds to chosen students.  Work will be accomplished via conference call, with no required in-person meetings. Since this is a subsidiary organization, there will be minimal requirements for preparing returns and filings. Contact Tara Gorman via Facebook Messenger to express your interest in the Board..

 
Encourage your children to travel for a semester with Up With People, or to participate in a three-week summer session of Camp Up With People.  Just this week, UWP has had staff layoffs because of a smaller-than-expected number of students for next semester.  It is crucial that “We as a Company” help keep this life-changing program alive for our next generation.

We know that your year in Up With People changed your life. Help make that same thing happen for “our” kids with your year-end donation.  Questions?  Contact Tara Gorman thru Facebook Messenger.

Please note:  In order to keep minimize costs and administrative tasks associated with organizing the We’ll Be There Foundation, and to ensure that the funds collected will be used solely to fund our students, we have organized the We’ll Be There Foundation as a subsidiary of the Planetary Gigs Society.  The members of Cast C ’86-87 will have complete control of the funds raised for the We’ll Be There Foundation.  Here’s more on the parent organization:

Planetary Gigs Society
Making Connections Through Music
With the Intention of Creating Peace

                The Planetary Gigs Society (the “Society”) is a nonprofit charitable and educational organization, tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3), which will act as a catalyst for promoting music, musicians and music lovers to become more prominent and influential around the world.  Human society has experienced too much conflict and division throughout its history, and music is a powerful healing force and an antidote to suffering.  Music can change moods and perspectives, but there has not been adequate attention or focused intention to address global needs on a collective basis.  At this time, now, we need music on earth more than ever. 

                The Society will implement a website with the main purpose of making connections through music.  Many individuals (including incredible musicians and music lovers) and organizations are already doing amazing work in promoting various aspects of music.  Musicians and music lovers understand the power of music, and science is proving them right.  But it will take concerted effort and intention to yield results that can positively affect the course of history.  The Society will connect interested individuals, companies, and organizations in a win-win approach to achieve beneficial outcomes.