Nearly 3/4 Million Dollars Raised by Bluegrass Jammers

On the last Saturday in February, jammers from the most novice to the most experienced in FOUR COUNTRIES and in cities all across America gathered together for  MUSIC and ART  help others in their time of need.

The Marathon Jam, an annual event which began in Chapel Hill, NC  six years ago by bluegrass musician and author, John Santa, has grown to international status and has provided not only much needed funding but also incalculable amounts of international exposure for their favorite charity, Fisher Houses.

Santa says "I am VERY proud to announce the Chapel Hill 2014 Marathon Jam has raised $18,000 for the Ft Bragg Fisher House (this year).  One of the reasons our total is so high this year is because we have money coming to us from several other locations including Monrovia, Liberia, Africa." 

Santa also called attention to some of the truly outstanding efforts and commitments by many of his team leaders like, "the Herculean efforts of one Ms. Willow Dragon who, at 13 years old, became so frustrated (that) the adults in Boone, North Carolina could not organize a Marathon Jam  (so) she created and played the first ever SOLO Marathon Jam in the history of the world.  She played fiddle and banjo for over four hours, all by herself and raised over EIGHT HUNDRED DOLLARS. "

"It is my great honor to announce that in six years of Marathon Jams, we have raised almost THREE QUARTERS OF A MILLION DOLLARS for Fisher Houses all over the USA." said Santa in a statement released to Prescription Bluegrass.

Another reason Santa credits for the lofty totals is the fact that the giving doesn't stop at the conclusion of the jam.  Donations are accepted year-round and he encourages continued donating through the Fisher House's special Marathon Jam Campaign page - click here!

The Fisher House™ program is a unique private-public partnership that supports America's military in their time of need. The program recognizes the special sacrifices of our men and women in uniform and the hardships of military service by meeting a humanitarian need beyond that normally provided by the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs.

Because members of the military and their families are stationed worldwide and must often travel great distances for specialized medical care, Fisher House™ Foundation donates "comfort homes," built on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers. These homes enable family members to be close to a loved one at the most stressful times - during the hospitalization for an unexpected illness, disease, or injury.