Hello everyone! My name is Jru Shurtleff and I am the Settler's Landing Charity Concert primary organizer. I'd like to tell you why this concert is my dream.
First and foremost, the opportunity to help out an amazing charity like W.A.G.S. 4 Kids is truly an incredible privelege. W.A.G.S. 4 Kids (Working Animals Giving Service For Kids) is a local nonprofit located in Berea, Ohio. Founded in 2004, W.A.G.S. 4 Kids trains, places, and monitors service and support animals for children with autism, cerebral palsy, birth defects, and other disabilities. In their nearly 20 years of service, W.A.G.S. 4 Kids has trained, placed, and continued to monitor 60 service and support animals for children in need. The main reason I chose W.A.G.S 4 Kids is because it is a dually beneficial charity that improves the lives of children in need, as well as the lives of the dogs who serve as their helpful companions. These children benefit immensely from the companionship of these beloved animals, and these dogs are answering their true calling as their strengths and skills as service animals are utilized in such a phenomenal and productive way. W.A.G.S. 4 Kids also seemed like the ideal charity for a first-time fundraiser such as this because while they are an impressive and impactful operation, they are still a relatively small-scale charity and do not often see super sizable donations. When I reached out to W.A.G.S. 4 Kids, they were ecstatic over the idea of this event and tremendously grateful that we chose them. Regardless of how much money we are able to raise for them, I know we will make a real difference for W.A.G.S. 4 Kids. With your help, we will be able to directly help them reach their 61st placement sooner rather than later!
I am blessed with an extraordinary network of family and friends who are so caring and generous when it comes to helping others. This wonderful blessing puts me in a somewhat rare position to be able to connect hundreds of people through this incredible cause. In planning an event like this for the very first time, it's been awesome to see the love and support from the closest people around me as nearly everyone I have reached out to has been eagerly willing to help in any way they can. By piecing together a variety of useful resources and fresh ideas, this concert has come together as a result of the community of people who care. One of the most incredible parts of this entire experience so far is seeing how much it has already brought the people of this brilliant city together. I am optimistic and hopeful that this concert will be a vast success, and the dream of throwing an event such as this can extend beyond just this one event. The real dream come true would be if we could keep holding events like this moving forward, and continue to raise money for charitable causes on a consistent and successful basis for years to come. I believe the native people of Cleveland, and anyone else who wishes to be involved, can do what’s necessary to make this dream possible.
I was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio and have always had a deep love for this remarkable city. I have traveled all over the country, and I have never found a community of people who can compare to what we have here in Cleveland. We care about each other. We empathize with each other. We look out for each other. There is no place where this is more glaringly obvious than at Settler's Landing Park.
Settler's Landing Park has always been an incredibly special place in my life. This park holds immeasurable sentimental value to not just me, but to my closest family and friends as well. For as long as I can remember, I've been blessed with the privilege of gathering at Settler's Landing Park on Sunday mornings for Browns tailgates. What started as a tailgate spot soon evolved into something much more meaningful and valuable. It became a place where family and friends would gather, share stories, give each other support, and ultimately form incredible bonds. Friends met other friends and became friends. Family members would be welcomed by members of other families and become one. Over the years, a community of amazing people has formed around this place, and it has taken on an identity that goes far beyond sports or tailgating. My cousin and I named our rap duo after Settler's Landing Park. Two of my best friends got engaged in front of a crowd of loved ones at Settler's Landing Park. My phone background is a picture of my goddaughter sitting at Settler's Landing Park. We have laughed here. We have cried here. We have created a lifetime of memories here. Just the words "Settler's Landing" give me goosebumps from head to toe and bring a tear to my eye. This is a special place, and there is no other place on Earth that I'd rather hold this concert. It is the ideal place for friends and family to gather and celebrate the love we have for each other.
Holding a concert here has been a dream of mine for some time now. The fact that we could make this night even more special by raising money for children in need provides a feeling that is hard for me to even describe. To call it gratifying would be a vast understatement. It is literally a dream come true in so many ways, and I know there are plenty of you who feel the same. This concert is about more than just music. It's about a community of people gathering to appreciate what we have, to celebrate the gifts we've been given, and to give back to those who were born without those same privileges. July 7th will be a night I will remember for the rest of my life, but make no mistake, this is not my concert. This is our concert. I can't wait to see you all there.