Community Response

Along with the formal support provided by Minnesota Helps and the Twin Cities Area Red Cross many members of the community banded together to raise money and support for the victims of the bridge collapse.

35W Bridge Relief Benefit Concert

On Sunday August 12, 2007 the musicians of the city of Minneapolis came together to hold a Benefit Concert to Raise money for the victims of the I-35W Bridge collapse. Immediately after the bridge fell musicians from the Twin Cities area began to organize the benefit which later raised $17,000 for the victims. The benefit was held at the Fine Line Music Cafe. All of the money raised was given to the Minnesota Helps- Bridge Disaster Fund (see Charities and Victims Compensation Funds) to provide support to individuals and local charities assisting the victims and their families. (1) A portion of the bar sales and 100% of the door fees were donated. The performers include: (2)

• Concentual
• Send up the Room
• Charlz Newman
• Willie Wisely
• The Abdomen
• Pop ROCKS
• Christy Love & You Know Who
• Tim Mahoney
• The Alarmists
• The Melismatics
• Hairball

All of the bands participating in the Relief Concert contacted the Fine Line Music Cafe the day after the collapse and requested to be part of any relief efforts the cafe was coordinating. Along with the concerts the even also included a silent auction. (2)

The silent auction consisted of a variety of items donated from several individuals and organizations around the state. Minnesota NASCAR joined other donators including: 3M, BestBuy, General Mills, Great Clips, Imation/Memorex and Target by contributing items to the auction. Several "Big-Ticket" items brought funds in for the relief effort. One such big ticket item was driver-autographed memorabilia. The nonprofit NASCAR foundation also made a donation to the relief fund. (3)

3-CD Compilation

Jewish Community Outreach

The Jewish Community Relations Council helped organize responses to the bridge collapse by co-sponsoring a Community Interfaith Prayer Service at St. Mark's Cathedral in Minneapolis. Further support was provided by The Temple Israel which held a service a healing to provide support for anyone effected by the bridge collapse. The Jewish Family and Children's Service of Minneapolis provided free crisis intervention counseling for anyone who needed emotional or psychological support following the collapse. (4)

Resources

1. Schugel, James. Fine Line Benefit Raises $17K for Bridge Relief. WCCO.com. Retrieved 3.27.2008.
2. MFR. Reminder: 35W Bridge Relief Benefit Concert Tonight!. Retrieved 3.28.2008.
3. NASCAR. Minnesota sponsors come together for bridge relief. NASCAR.com. Retrieved 3.28.2008.
4. E-democracy. 35W. Retrieved 3.28.2008.