VERO BEACH — Vero Beach native Jake Owen wrapped up a hugely successful national tour with a special event in his hometown on Dec. 15, 2012.
More than 6,200 patrons attended the sold out Jake Owen Foundation Benefit Concert featuring special guests Florida Georgia Line in Holman Stadium at Vero Beach Sports Village. The concert was the final stop on the CMT On Tour Jake Owen: The Summer Never Ends 2012.
The seventh annual concert raised more than $130,000 for six local charities and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Jarrod Owen, Jake’s twin and representative of the Jake Owen Foundation, visited four of the local organizations yesterday to personally deliver their donation from the Jake Owen Foundation.
“I am so pleased that I was able to visit with the organizations in our community and see where the money is being spent. Today I got to witness firsthand how much Jake’s donation means to each organization, the children, and families,” said Jarrod Owen.
This year more than $90,000 has been donated to charities in the community that assist youth.
“I am very thankful that I have the opportunity to give back to the community that has given me so much. Any time I can help kids, it is a good day,” said Jake Owen.
This year due to the great support of the community and fans, the Jake Owen Foundation was able to add three new organizations as beneficiaries of the 2012 Jake Owen Foundation Benefit Concert.
The six local charities that received support from the Jake Owen Foundation this year are:
· Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation. Its mission is to provide after school enrichment, health, and fitness programs in a safe and nurturing environment.
· Boys & Girls Club of Indian River County/Vero Beach. Its mission is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens.
· Hibiscus Children’s Center. Its mission is to provide safety for abused, abandoned, and neglected children through prevention programs, residential programs, shelter programs, and recovery programs.
· Homeless Family Center. The organization provides emergency and transitional shelter for homeless families from Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, and Okeechobee Counties.
· Indian River Medical Center (the Brande Rivera Scholarship Fund) The scholarship fund was established for nurses who are seeking a graduate degree in nursing.
· Autism Speaks. The organization is dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments, and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. The Jake Owen Foundation donation will enable grants for local services offered to the community.
Founded in 2010, the Jake Owen Foundation was created to offer its support on a national level to children battling cancer and other childhood diseases, while also lending its support to youth organizations and various charities in Owen’s hometown area of Indian River County, FL.
Since releasing his chart-topping album Barefoot Blue Jean Night, RCA Nashville’s Jake Owen has emerged as one of country music’s leading vocalists. The album has delivered three consecutive No. 1 hit singles, the first two of which held the top spot on the chart for multiple weeks, the nearly double platinum-selling title track, nearly platinum “Alone with You,” and gold certified “The One That Got Away.”
Jake’s high-energy live show and captivating songs have landed him sought after opening slots nationwide with Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, and his first headlining tour.
Jake made CMT history with the most consecutive sold out shows for the annual nationwide tour since its inception eleven years ago. Jake will join Jason Aldean’s Night Train Tour, which kicked off on Jan. 21.
Jake has appeared on Good Morning America, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel LIVE, and Chelsea Lately. He was featured in Entertainment Weekly’s music issue, where EW ranked him among “The 30 Greatest Artists Right Now.”
Jake first captured the national spotlight with his hits “Startin’ with Me,” “Don’t Think I Can’t Love You,” and “Eight Second Ride.” His revival of “Life in a Northern Town” with Sugarland and Little Big Town in 2008 earned him Grammy and CMA award nominations.
Jake was recently named the American Country Awards 2012 Breakthrough Artist of the Year adding to his nod as 2009’s Top New Male Vocalist by the Academy of Country Music.
For further information about the Jake Owen Foundation Benefit Concert, please call C & H Events at (561) 394-9190 or visit the website www.CHEvents.com/JakeOwen.net/Charity.
C & H Events, Inc. is a full service event management and marketing company based in Boca Raton, FL.