Smith students help Trees for Tibet

It started out small and grew into something big. Three students from Newman Smith High School turned an idea into a concert that raises money to help a country overcome a big problem.

JJ Echaniz, Kevin Chan and David Chi formed a non-profit organization called “Sounds of Support” which gathered local musicians to help raise money to afford a special tree that will help people in Tibet.

“We hosted this concert on Aug. 27 and all of the proceeds will go to purchasing Pongamia tree, which is an important natural resource in Tibet. The tree can grow in the most harsh situations,” Echaniz said. “The tree helps provide wood, oil for cooking and helps prevent soil erosion. It also is lighting and environmentally friendly bio-fuel.”

Echaniz said he and his friends were looking to start a business when Chan was approached by a man who worked for “Trees for Tibet,” a non-profit organization dedicated to planting Pongamia trees for organic and energy farming initiatives in Tibetan refugee settlements.

“I have always been involved with music and I thought a concert would be a great way to raise money,” Chan said. “Then I thought it would be better to have a battle of the bands and have multiple bands come out. We took our ‘Sounds of Support’ and partnered with ‘Trees for Tibet’ to host the first Sounds of Support Battle of the Bands.”

Chan began networking with people he knew in the music scene and met others along the way. Once they found the venue for the event, they knew a Battle of the Bands competition would be a great way to bring kids out and raise money.

“The event was held at The Rock on Hebron Parkway. It was great because it was right in between Carrollton and Plano and brought out a lot of kids,” Chan said. “At that point I began scouting for talent to invite to the battle while JJ handled all of the finances.”

The boys were also able to recruit local business to come to the event, set up tents, and sell food. Echaniz said they were able to recruit a total of six bands with the winner having the opportunity to record in a professional studio that was worth more than $2,500.

“We had a great turn out and were able to raise a lot of money,” Echaniz said. “There were some hard times during the process, but thanks to our volunteers, we were able to pull it off and I think everyone had a really good time.”

The event raised more $3,700 that will result in trees being planted in Tibet. Echaniz said each tree cost $5 dollars to plant.

“It’s awesome,” Echaniz said. “To be able to plant so many trees will help so many people.”

The boys are looking to expand “Sounds of Support” by hosting more events in the future.

“We want to turn the battle of the bands into a yearly event,” Chan said. “We are also looking to try and host new events.”

For information on Sounds of Support or to donate to “Trees for Tibet,” go to www.soundsofsupport.com.

http://www.courier-gazette.com/articles/2011/09/08/carrollton_leader/news/974.txt