Jammin' With Jonas: A Benefit Concert. 

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world."

-Mahatma Gandhi.

Gandhi's words of wisdom are inspiring to many people, myself included. I want to make a difference; I want to change the world. I know that one person alone can not change the world, however we can all contribute.

Our voices are our most powerful tool, but for some reason we usually put them to silence. I don't know how many times I've heard someone say that they want to make our world a better place and help people, yet they just sit back and do nothing. I know that I am guilty of this too, and I want to change that.

I have been blessed with so much in my life, there had been very little that I have had to deal with out. I've always had enough food and a roof over my head, loving parents who try their best to give me everything I want, and I've always lived in a great community. Now I feel that it is my turn to give back to those less fortunate. Sure, I've done a lot of volunteer work in the past. I spent last summer volunteering at a special needs school for severely disabled children five days a week, for my eleventh birthday instead of asking for kids to bring presents to my birthday party I asked them to make a donation to St. Jude instead, I've worked at many tumbling competitions that raised money for St. Jude, and two days a week I volunteer my study hall period and go teach in the special education room. Even though I have done good things, I still don't feel like I've done enough. I feel like I could do more...

The Make A Wish Foundation grants wishes to children who two and a half to eighteen years old, and suffering from a terminal illness. This means that these kids have no chance of surviving. I've heard some very touching stories about these kids.

Did you know that every forty-one minutes one wish is granted? I did the math and I found out that that means that on average thirty five wishes are granted per day, and twelve thousand seven hundred seventy five wishes are granted each year. But unfortunately, that's only granting wishes to approximately half of the Make-A-Wish candidates. 

These kids are trying to make the most out of their lives because they know that they're going to end soon. It's amazing how some of them can have such a positive outlook on things when they're going through so much. Imagine 12,775 smiling kids, isn't it a great picture?

What I really want to do is probably ridiculous, and the chances of this happening are probably slim to none. But I'm not going to let that stop me from trying because if nobody ever tried then nothing great could ever be accomplished.

I would love to be able to get the Jonas Brothers to play a performance and then donate the proceeds to the Make A Wish Foundation. I know, I sound crazy right? I've shared the idea with my best friend and all she said was, "Danielle, thats insane. Yes, they may be great people, but you know that they're huge! Look they're doing sold out arena tours, new album & a television show in the works, and a movie too? Come on, you know that they've got better thing to do then help some girl they don't even know try to raise money for a charity." And even though I don't want to believe that she's right, I know she probably is.

The reason I decided to try the three boys who I know will be the hardest to book out of the other bands I listen to is because so many people in my community and others surrounding look up to these boys. They've shown us that we can live a life without drinking and drugs and that it is possible to stay abstinent until marriage, things that are unfortunately uncommon in todays society. They've taught us to hold on when times are rough, and that it is always okay to be yourself. Since so many people look up to them not only for their musical talent but also for the lifestyles they lead, I am almost positive that they would get the best turn out and help raise the most money.

We've all seen you tube videos of them playing privately for parties and what not. The fact that this is for a good cause, not just a birthday, is what makes me believe that if I worked hard enough then I could make this happen.

I've looked all over for information on private performances and I can not find anything. I was hoping maybe you could help me out, and let me know how much they cost, how to contact their manager.. all that fun stuff. I've tried asking so many different places, but haven't got a reply. And it's really frustrating because I don't know if when people read this they're taking me seriously or not because this is such a huge idea... It's something that not most teenagers take on. I've even had people that were going to the concerts just try to pass this off to them, but nothing has seemed to work yet. 

Or, even if you could simply forward this to the boys just letting them know about my idea that would be great too. I know they're busy people with the tour, upcoming television show and movie, and on top of all that trying to take the time to be normal kids as well but this is for such a good cause.

And yes, I know this would be a ridiculously large task to take on. IT will take dedication and a lot of hard work to pull off. I'm willing to do it; I'm willing to work to help make kids wishes come true. I know that I'm doing everything in my power to make this happen, hopefully you will be able to help out too.

And maybe I'm just a silly sixteen year old girl with her head in the clouds and an over active imagination.. but hey, I've always been told to follow my dreams no matter how big and unreasonable they may seem and that anything is possible.. so this is worth a shot... right?

Thank you for your time, 

Danielle Pfister, IL