The Michael Bolton Charities raised $277,000 during the organization's Chords of Hope virtual event in to support its music therapy program for at-risk youth. The interactive event, held in December 2020, featured an extraordinary line-up of Hall of Fame and multi-award-winning recording artists and songwriters, talented emerging artists, and notable entertainment industry veterans.
More than 400 people were in attendance to support The MBC's music therapy program. The event was emceed by Richard and Demi Weitz's 'RWQuarantunes.'
In addition to multiple songs performed by Michael Bolton, artists, songwriters and industry leaders performing or appearing during the evening included Walter Afanasieff, Rick Astley, Desmond Child, Deon Cole, Sophia Dion, David & Kat Foster, Kenny G, Jimmy Jam, Justin Jesso, Holly Knight, Dave Mason, Richard Marx, Johnny Mathis, Brian McKnight, Noah Reid, Aniya Simmons, Swedish Jam Factory, Diane Warren, and David Zippel.
"I was truly touched by the outpouring of support for our work, from long-time friends to more recent friends to people who stepped up to join us for the first-time," said Michael Bolton. "Because of the generosity of so many dedicated individuals, we are harnessing the healing power of music to help resilient young people gain the confidence necessary to overcome acute trauma that has impacted their lives.
The evening also included congratulatory remarks by Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont and New London, CT Mayor Michael Passero, saluting Connecticut's own Michael Bolton and the work of The MBC.
Title Sponsors were The Koplik Family, Iris & Michael Smith, Jâlé & Warren Trepp and Igor Tulchinsky/WorldQuant. Event Sponsors included BMI, Chuck & Eva Bunnell, Barbara Cane, Dawn Knief Compass, Digital Check Corp./Tom Anderson, Dominion Energy Foundation, Endicott College, Facebook, Tommy & Donna Febbraio, Herman & Elle Gans, Gibson Gives, GO Charity, LAZ Parking, Sabrina & Jahn Levin, Mohegan Tribe, Mike O'Neill, Andrew Sabin Family Foundation, Sandler & Mara PC, Samriti & Scott Seltzer, Gale Sitomer, Webster Bank, Westport Lifestyle, Linda & Larry Weiss, and Robyn & Andrew Whittingham.
