DETROIT – Motown Recording Artist KEM is pleased to announce that his third "Mack & Third LIVE: A Call to Service" event will conclude with a headlining performance by Maze featuring Frankie Beverly. "Mack & Third" is a day-long FREE concert & food drive to benefit the homeless that will take place Sunday, August 26, 2012 at Detroit's Cass Park.
Watch: Uncut: Interview Motown artist KEM
Recommended Videos
Fans can find additional details at www.mackandthird.org, and can follow the 2012 event interactively at www.facebook.com/MackAndThird and at www.twitter.com/MackAndThird (@MackAndThird).
"We are so honored that Maze featuring Frankie Beverly will be joining us at this year's Mack & Third event," said KEM. "Frankie Beverly is a musical icon, and we're happy to have the ability to provide a free day of festivities and exceptional entertainment that everybody can enjoy, as we raise funds and collect food donations for Detroit's homeless community."
"Mack & Third" (which was named for the area where many of Detroit's homeless citizens reside) is KEM's effort to give back to Detroit's homeless community and its services, which supported him throughout his journey from homelessness & addiction to sobriety & success. By sharing his gift of music, KEM hopes to bring attention to the plight of the homeless and to motivate the community to get involved with giving and volunteerism.
"Mack & Third is about giving back," said KEM. "I've been fortunate to overcome many obstacles including being addicted and homeless. If it weren't for organizations like the Detroit Rescue Mission and the NSO, I wouldn't be where I am today. I want to encourage others in their current situations by offering something tangible like a meal, along with the hope that things can get better. By sharing my music with a free concert, I also hope to inspire others to give back."
The 2012 event will feature: ‘A Meal & A Message' from KEM, specifically for homeless citizens; several food & merchandise vendors; free health screenings; and five hours of live concert entertainment that will conclude with performances by Grammy-nominated Artist KEM and Maze featuring Frankie Beverly.
The 2011 event, which featured headlining performances by KEM and Morris Day & The Time, far exceeded expectations, as it more than doubled the previous event's statistics. On August 28, 2011, more than 52,000 people attending the event, 100,000 canned goods were collected, 2,100 homeless citizens were served ‘A Meal & A Message' from KEM, 2,500 toiletry kits were distributed and thousands received FREE health screenings. In 2009, more than 500 people were served a meal, over 40,000 canned goods were collected and 26,000-plus people enjoyed the free event.
The Purposes of "KEM Presents Mack & Third LIVE: A Call to Service" are:
• To raise funds & collect canned goods for the area's homeless shelters & food banks
• To provide a free getaway for Detroiters from the stresses of their current situations
• To serve a free meal to the homeless and others in need
• To encourage people to volunteer and give
"The concept of KEM's free all-day Mack & Third concert event came in 2009, during the nation's largest economic downturn of our times," said KEM's Manager & Project Producers, LLC Owner, Toya Hankins. "It was a time that thousands of people were losing their jobs, with some becoming homeless. Stress levels were high, and we wanted to provide a reprieve for Detroit's citizens – a day that they could enjoy with their families without the burden of expense, while at the same time, making an impact for the homeless community. Little did we know at the time that the event would grow into one of Detroit's largest annual events. We are grateful to all of our past and current sponsors that allow us to continually enhance the event each year. We look forward to announcing details of the 2012 event very soon."
The "KEM Presents: Mack & Third LIVE: A Call to Service" event is made possible only by the welcomed support and commitment of several community partners and sponsors. For sponsorship information, please contact: sponsors@mackandthird.org.
All canned goods, merchandise, beverage & other financial profits from the event will be donated to organizations that assist Metro Detroit's homeless community.
Further information regarding sponsorship, donations, volunteering and vending is available at www.mackandthird.org.