What’s a virtual Clydesdale? Military Bowl Parade goes online this year. AMFMhopes to raise $15,000 for depleted fund
Organizers of the Military Bowl have decided to take their popular parade online this year, citing concerns about the coronavirus pandemic.
Instead of bands, dancers and the Budweiser Clydesdales marching upMain Street and out to Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on Dec. 27, the Military BowlFoundation said it is accepting videos that will be edited into a parade and then premiered on social media.
“It is unfortunate to have to take this step, but this is the best way for us to continue what has become a holiday tradition for so many people in Annapolis and the surrounding area,” Foundation President& Executive Director Steve Beck said in a statement released by the organization.
Parade registration is open to all; however, for-profit businesses will be asked to purchase a $250 parade sponsorship in order to participate.
Videos should be fun, creative, familyfriendly and community-minded. The Military Bowl encouraged submissions to include:
A message of support for nation’s service members
■ A group performance
■ A message of support for the Military
Bowl and/or the Annapolis community
Videos should be shot horizontally (landscape) and can include audio. Video should be creative and personal — not an advertisement. Though not limited to this style, the Military Bowl encouraged groups to think of this as more along the lines of social media content.
In addition, virtual parade videos should be created and filmed in away that promotes social distancing and follows all local coronavirus safety rules.
To register for the 2020 Military Bowl Parade, visit militarybowl.org/parade.
The bowl benefits USO ofMetropolitan Washington-Baltimore and Patriot Point, the Military Bowl Foundation’s 290-acre retreat for recovering service members, their families and caregivers on the Eastern Shore.
Organizers of Annapolis Musicians Fund for Musicians hope to raise $15,000 on Giving Tuesday to rebuild its depleted emergency relief funds.
Matt McConville, AMFM’s president and founder, said the nonprofit awarded more than $115,000 in benefits to musicians thrown out of work because of coronavirus restrictions on indoor performances.
“In just 12 weeks, we processed and approved over 180 applications from 76 area musicians who lost gigs,” he said in a statement released by AMFM.
The pandemic also canceled the group’s main avenue for fundraising, performances showcasing local talent at Rams Head On Stage. This year, the group decided to turn to Giving Tuesday.
Over the past eight years, Giving Tuesday has grown to include hundreds of millions of giving and collaborating.
As part of its fundraising campaign,
AMFM will be raffling off donated music merchandise, including a signedPRSguitar. Those interested in participating in AMFM’s GivingTuesday campaign can “like” AMFM’s Facebook page, facebook.com/amfminc, follow AMFM on Instagram, instagram.com/amfm_inc or twitter, twitter.com/amfm_inc, or visit am-fm.org/donate.
Watermark’s annual fundraiser for the Anne Arundel County Food Bank, normally held on theHarbor Queen tour boat during Eastport Yacht Club’s Parade of Lights, will go virtual now that the parade has been canceled.
“Even beforewe heard the news that the Parade was canceled, we had determined that welcoming spectators on to Harbor Queenwas just not going towork this year,” said Jake Iversen, general manager of vessel activities for the Annapolis tour company.
Claudette McDonald, long-time sales team member and originator of the Queen of All Food Drives, worked with the food bank staff to take it online.
Susan Thomas, food bank executive director, said more than 90% of our annual food drives that benefit the nonprofit since March have been canceled because of the coronavirus while the need has grown over 300%.
“As we enter winter, and struggling families and individuals have an additional burden of paying for heat — along with COVID-19 safety restrictions tightening thereby reducing employees’ earnings — the need will continue to grow,” she said ina statement released byWatermark.
Donations may be made to the food bank via Watermark’s website or by calling Watermark’s sales office at 410-268-7601, extension 200. Watermark will match donations made through Dec. 12, up to $1,000.