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Bergopalooza's Interests
General
What is the Nick Berg Memorial Fund?
Nick Berg was a close friend to many, all over the world. A native of West Chester, PA, Nick pursued education in New York, Pennsylvania, and Oklahoma. He also traveled to Kenya and Uganda after developing an alternative brick and construction method to benefit populations where steel is not readily available. Berg also traveled to Iraq to seek out reconstruction contracts after much of the country was decimated during the second Gulf War. Unfortuanlety, this is where we lost Nick. He was kidnapped and killed by Islamic Militants in May of 2004.
Music
Heroes
The Nick Berg Memorial Fund was established in his honor shortly after not only to benefit students of his alma mater but others. We have begun to devise a grant system for people attempting to create businesses in third word countries with the purpose of helping the local communities - i.e., not companies to export good to the US, but companies that actually benefit a local community, similar to Nick's brick company and water well works in Uganda. We are to give a national award in his memory to enterprising young inventors or business people. We will also create a learning institute based on Bergology. Nick was always devising ways to teach children science, even when he was in Africa doing research and employing 15 people in a construction effort.
About me: The Nick Berg Memorial Fund will host a benefit concert event, Bergopalooza, on Saturday May 17, 2008 in West Chester, PA. The event will be held at 15 North Café, located at 15 North Walnut St from 2 to 5 pm and is open to anyone aged 18 and over. The purpose of the concert is to raise funds for a scholarship which is awarded to a graduate of Henderson High School annually. The recipient is chosen based on characteristics exemplified by Nick Berg, class of 1996. These include a love of music, learning and especially the sciences. The recipient must also demonstrate a generous spirit, positive attitude, a strong relationship with peers as well as teachers, and desire for success.
The event will also include a raffle of various prizes and donations are needed. We are looking for companies and individuals to provide products for our raffle. Please consider donating a gift certificate or other item that we may include in the raffle.
Who I'd like to meet: Bergopalooza will feature musicians Rob Perna and the New Kings of Rhythm and with Toronto's own Peter Katz.
From Peter Katz's website: "As many of you know, my song ‘Forgiveness’ was inspired by an interview I heard on CBC’s ‘As it Happens’ with a man (Michael Berg) who chose forgiveness instead of hatred in the face of the most trying of circumstances: the kidnapping and murder of his son Nicholas in Iraq. The song was written to get his message out to as many people as possible, especially knowing that he had been persecuted for his courageous position, even shot at.
On Tuesday I got a call from ‘As It Happens’ and they interviewed me about the song and then played that interview paired up with Michael’s on the evening program. Sitting there in my car, listening to the 2 stories come together was without a doubt the most rewarding moment of my life/career. I know that so many of you have helped spread the message and I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you. Thank you also to everyone who heard the interview and sent me such wonderful emails. It is so encouraging to know that his message is getting out there. Despite all the horrible things we hear about on a daily basis, there is so much more goodness and humanity happening."
Wow, that was great! I must say it was as good as I expected – Thanks for all your work Clara, and volunteers – from poster creators to raffle coordinators. Also thanks to the contributors for the prizes and to Mike for lending us 15 North. Special gratitude to Kevin Bean, Rob Perna and the New Kings of Rhythm, and Peter Katz for outstanding heart and soul. And lastly, thanks to all those who came and celebrated the life of a great man- Berg.
Hi Everybody! Hopefully if you live in West Chester you're seeing flyers up on bulletin boards and in stores now. Thanks to Carly (Silvesti) Pilotti for designing them! Remember to spread the word to everyone you know! Saturday May 17th, 2-5pm at 15 North. If you want some flyers/postcards let me know. See you in a month! ---Clara
Don't forget to spread news of Bergopalooza by mouth! Tell all your friends! Also, let me know if you have places and are willing to post flyers. Thanks!--Clara
