Dear Hattiesburg Area Arts Supporters,

 

Thank you so much to those who have already donated to this cause. We sincerely appreciate your help.

 

This email is not being sent on behalf of any specific institution or organization, but on behalf of 95 international music students that are currently living in the city of Hattiesburg and studying music at either USM or William Carey University. They need your support during this time.

 

All of you have enjoyed performances by these students and you have experienced the quality of music that they have brought to our city. I reached out to them to see how they are doing in the midst of this pandemic. Many of them are depressed and anxious. They are worried about their health, their classes, their families, and how they are going to pay for rent and food until things go back to normal; some are concerned about being evicted from their apartments. Some have children, and they are also worried about their well-being, as well as the health and safety of their families back in their home country. However, they cannot go home due to travel restrictions and/or closed borders. They are worried about their survival from May through August. While our spring semester is only three more weeks, they are looking at having to financially survive for four more months.

 

These international students are here on student visas and therefore, it is not legal for them to work while in the U.S., except performing in musical events. They survive by performing with regional orchestras and Hattiesburg-area churches, but there are no more concerts or church services right now; all of this has temporarily gone away. Therefore, all of their ability to legally earn any kind of money while they’re here has disappeared. 

 

Ten years ago, the Hattiesburg Concert Association (FestivalSouth) set up a fund called the “Performing Artist Fund,” so that we could support performing artists in times of need. This is probably the most extreme time of need that they have ever had. A few of them live in dormitories, but most of them live out in the community and rent apartments. Our goal is to help them be able to eat and pay their rent for the remainder of the semester and during the summer. 

 

Once again, they have no choice, they must stay here. They cannot leave and they cannot legally work. They are in a very difficult position and we are asking you to donate money through the Hattiesburg Concert Association “Performing Artists Fund” so that we can help these students.

 

USM, William Carey, individuals, organizations, restaurants, and churches are already helping these students as much as they can. I am also reaching out to landlords and apartment managers to ask them to help with possible rent forgiveness, reduction, or deferment. I am hoping that they will help as well.

 

Please give as much as you can to support these students, who cannot leave our community and are in need of assistance. Your contribution is tax deductible, please save your receipt from GoFundMe as tax proof. 

 

To give, please click HERE.

 

Or, mail a check to:

Hattiesburg Concert Association

P.O. Box 16028

Hattiesburg, MS 39404

 

On the reference line write: Performing Artist Fund

 

Thank you,

Hattiesburg Concert Association

A 501 (c)(3), Non-profit Organization

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