Seattle band raises $10,000 to help the homeless



SEATTLE -- A group of six guys, with the help of some of their friends, were able to raise $10k in about a week for Mary's Place, and they did it through music.

There’s no rest for Seattle band All Star Opera. The band is preparing for an upcoming west coast tour. This, just two weeks after their they got done their “world tour”.

All Star Opera are the band behind the “Seattle World Tour”, a five-day event that features 17 different musical groups playing throughout the city.

“We want to play with a bunch of a different bands that aren’t our style or genre,” said Seth McDonald, keyboard player for All Star Opera and Executive Director of the Seattle World Tour.

The shows do so much more than just give up and coming artists a chance at the stage.

“Best moment of my musical career so far,” that’s how McDonald describes the feeling of dropping a $10k check to Mary’s Place.

Proceeds from the five nights of shows, merchandise sold, donations raised, and fundraisers brought in thousands of dollars. Ten thousand dollars to be specific, that’s ten times the amount the band raised during the first Seattle World Tour.

For McDonald this is a cause that is very important to him.

“Spending the night on a friend’s hardwood floor, or sleeping in my car in the winter months,” he said.

It wasn’t that long ago McDonald knew the struggles of being homeless. Now, he is able to take something he loves and give back.

“I want to lift others up having a hard time,” he said.

All Star Opera, with the help of Respect My Region, 16 musical acts, and five Seattle music venues were able to raise thousands of dollars to help homeless families in about a week.

McDonald says they plan to do even more next year.