FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 5, 2007
HEALTH ALLIANCE FOR AUSTIN MUSICIANS RECEIVES $45,850
FROM GRAVES DOUGHERTY HEARON & MOODY FUNDRAISER
HAAM Also Announces New Board & Staff Positions
AUSTIN, Texas — Health Alliance for Austin Musicians announced today that it has received $45,850 from Austin law firm Graves Dougherty Hearon & Moody’s annual “Engaging Conversations” fundraiser held two days after the second HAAM BENEFIT DAY.
“We are pleased the contributions raised through ‘Engaging Conversations’ will assist the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians,” says firm president Mike McKetta. “Our city’s world reputation for live music depends on the creativity and service of thousands of musicians, many of whom would have woefully inadequate healthcare resources without the good work of the Alliance.”
Graves Dougherty’s signature event at The Headliners Club on Thursday, October 4, brought together more than a dozen national and Austin stars in business, sports, literature, entertainment, fashion, and local civics and culture — including Susan Antone of Antone’s, Sweet Leaf Tea co-founder and CEO Clayton Christopher, and Austin police chief Art Acevedo — to host tables of dinner guests. The firm underwrites the event, contributes on behalf of guests and matches up to $500 of every guest’s donation.
Added Richard Topfer of the Topfer Family Foundation and Castletop Capital, who has become chairman of the HAAM Board of Directors: “HAAM thanks Graves Dougherty Hearon & Moody and its ‘Engaging Conversations’ guests for their generosity and commitment to the health of our local musicians. This gift will have a long lasting impact and will provide great benefits to our city’s hardworking, professional musicians.”
In addition to Topfer taking the helm of the HAAM board, Tim Taylor, partner at Jackson Walker LLP and HAAM BENEFIT DAY 2007 Committee chairman, has become a member of the board. Carolyn Schwarz has been named HAAM’s executive director after serving as its director of services since its founding; Jackie Campbell was named assistant director of services.
In 2008, HAAM kicks off a Sustaining Sponsor campaign to secure and expand musicians’ access to affordable healthcare in years to come with sponsors committing to give $5,000 or more each year for three years. Sustaining Sponsors will earn special recognition and invitations to special receptions, including one in Spring 2008.
Health Alliance for Austin Musicians was founded in April 2005 when the Seton Family of Hospitals and St. David’s Community Health Foundation came together with The SIMS Foundation to provide medical, dental, and mental health and addiction-recovery services to the city’s hard-working low-income musicians. More than 980 musicians, most 35 and younger, have become members.
General information, membership applications and donation details are available at www.myhaam.org and www.HealthAllianceForAustinMusicians.org or 512.322.5177.
Contacts: Jill McGuckin, McGuckin Entertainment PR, 512.217.9404; jill@mcguckinpr.com
Carolyn Schwarz, executive director, Health Alliance for Austin Musicians, 512.324.8976; cschwarz@healthallianceforaustinmusicians.org
Pam Crowther, Seton Family of Hospitals, 512.324-3170, pcrowther@seton.org
Kim Usey, St. David’s Community Health Foundation Leadership, 512.879.6612; kim@sdchf.org
Sandy Bruce, The SIMS Foundation, 512.472.1008; sbruce@simsfoundation.org
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