Today we’d like to introduce you to Charlie Wendell.
Charlie, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I have always been passionate about three things throughout my life; Jesus, people, and music. So while I was in graduate school I decided to work on a project that allowed me to incorporate all three of those passions.
At the time I was also simultaneously working for a record label; G4 Muzik. While I loved my job, I just felt like somehow all the money, fame, and resources could be utilized to help make a difference in the community. I began working on a business plan that centered on a music festival that traveled all across the world. Well life literally took me across the world to Ethiopia. Before Melody of Hope could come to life, I had already made a commitment to move to Africa for 10 months to do mission work. It turned out to be a blessing because I got to see upfront what it was like to live in immense poverty and what it looked like to be without hope. When I returned to the states I relentlessly started to take steps to bring Melody of Hope to life.
I am so passionate about my work because I truly believe that change starts with a single melody of hope.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has definitely not been a smooth road, but starting any business is never easy. I think the biggest struggle for myself is trying to manage everything and use my time wisely.
We are extremely busy within the community which is a good thing but it’s challenging managing our 20 volunteers as well as running the business.
Please tell us about Melody of Hope.
The heart behind melody of Hope is to be an instrument in supporting the causes of other organizations by raising funds and awareness through musical performing acts.
We achieve this by hosting benefit concerts predominantly. Through our events we are able to become an ambassador of these nonprofits and provide our local artists with a stage to display their talents. We unite passionate audiences with dedicated organizations to bring change to our local community. While using the stage to share the hope of Jesus, which we believe is the true hope in this world.
I think what sets us apart is the fact that if you attend a melody of hope event you are able to donate to multiple causes at one time. A lot of times in my field of work I hear people say “oh, I already give to that charity, I can’t give to another.” Of course, we would never want them to stop donating to that charity, but we want to create a place where people can donate to multiple causes at one time.
What also sets us apart is the fact that we are made up of mostly millennials. We know millennials have a bad reputation of being lazy or self-centered, but that is not our experience at all. We are 95% millennial ran and we continue to push more millennials to volunteer and donate to causes and they do! We are trying to make helping people as easy as purchasing a concert ticket.
We are most proud that we are able to share the love of Jesus to our audience and really help to be the hands and feet of Him in this world.
We have our biggest event coming up on December 1st. Our Hope for the Holidays Christmas Gala.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
For the most part, I firmly believe that your struggles and hardships are always a learning experience and we have definitely had our fair share of those and grown exponentially from them. But I think in the beginning (4 years ago) when my friends and I got together to start Melody of Hope we were pretty naive so I think just making sure we do extensive research on the nonprofits we are supporting and the bands that are playing our shows.
Contact Info:
- Address: 8804 Arbor Creek Lane, McKinney, TX 75070
- Website: www.melodyofhope.org
- Phone: 9729776064
- Email: charlie.wendell@melodyofhope.org
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/melodyofhope
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/melodyofhope
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/melodyofhopeorg
Image Credit:
Charlie Wendell
Kenna Weber
James Trawick
Thomas Deshefy
Brett Larson
Austin Wendell
Erin Flavin
Danielle Reed
Brooke Combs
Ashley Chimal
Breelyn Wright
Shea Thielemann
Christina Hawkes
Corey Holmes
Camerine Day
Jahmaol Clark
Katie Redelinghuys
Rudi Redelinghuys
Green River Ordinance
Lauren Frock
Mattie Ebersole
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