More than $800,000 was raised to support Santa Barbara County first responders at Fall One805LIVE! Festival, sponsored by nonprofit One805.
One805’s flagship event took place on actor Kevin Costner’s oceanside estate in Summerland with headliner performance by Grammy Award-winning band Maroon 5.
Some 3,000 guests attended, as well as more than 100 volunteers, vendors, and production crew.
“It took us about seven months planning to put the event together, with a lot of help from many generous people and artists who came together for the cause,” said Kirsten Cavendish Weston-Smith, co-founder/chairman/CEO of One805.
“Having a band like Maroon 5 take time out of the world tour to play for us, at no cost, is a testament to the incredible support we have had locally,” she said.
Maroon 5 donated 100% of their time and talent to support One805. The concert also featured surprise guests and a star-studded lineup of artists.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle presented Heart of the Community awards to Alexa Fullerton, who offers her Rincon Beach home to firefighters to allow them to recuperate, recharge and spend time with their families; Adam McKaig, founder of Adam’s Angels, a volunteer organization that donates food, clothing and care kits to the community; and Costner, who donated his property for the event.
Oprah Winfrey joined Santa Barbara County firefighter Sam Dudley on stage to discuss the importance of mental health and the mental health services One805 makes accessible to first responders.
“It’s so easy, and it’s offered to all first responders, our spouses, our children. We all benefit from it as a community when … first responders are at their best,” Dudley said to Oprah onstage.
Comedian and talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres entertained the audience with a comedic monologue before introducing Maroon 5, who played an intimate acoustic set.
Other special guests were Alan Parsons O.B.E., Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, Elliot Easton of The Cars, David Pack of Ambrosia and Dishwalla.
“The money we have raised will do so much to support our wonderful first responders, and we are actively working with our advisory council to determine their most urgent needs,” said Richard Weston-Smith, One805 co-founder/COO.
“A large chunk of it will go towards achieving our goal of having three years of advance funding for our Mental Wellness program that currently serves every firefighter in Santa Barbara County,” he said.
One805’s Advisory Council, which is made up of the heads of all 11 first responder departments in Santa Barbara County, will meet to discuss the allocation of funds.
The advisory council ensures all funds raised by One805 are directed where they are most needed at any given time, regardless of the department. Many of the funds go toward equipment, mental health services and resources, and disaster preparedness.
For more, visit www.One805.org.