Welcome to Bruce Funds!
If the spirit of what I do exists in you too, then you can make Bruce Funds happen wherever you are.
I invite you all: Be Inspired. Then Do.
You are Bruce Funds; I am just the hard-working elf behind the scenes.
Donna
Bruce Funds Founder
"Walks It Like Bruce Talks It"
If the spirit of what I do exists in you too, then you can make Bruce Funds happen wherever you are.
I invite you all: Be Inspired. Then Do.
You are Bruce Funds; I am just the hard-working elf behind the scenes.
Donna
Bruce Funds Founder
"Walks It Like Bruce Talks It"
Celebrating Seven Years of Bruce Funds
2016 has exceed all expectations for Bruce Funds supporters helping others get to a show.
I thought sharing something I wrote in 2012 below would be a nice reminder of how the concept
began and just how basic and steady it remains in heart and spirit.
I thought sharing something I wrote in 2012 below would be a nice reminder of how the concept
began and just how basic and steady it remains in heart and spirit.
“I believe we're going to fly, but if we crash, at least we leapt.”
- Said by me about this project of mine, January 27, 2012
People are asking, “What, who, why…” about Bruce Funds. And if I step back, sure I can admit that in 2012 it seems incredibly hard to believe someone would be practicing pure altruism about the act of GIVING and not taking. The antithesis of greed, so to speak.
However, for me it is logical and sound to have these intentions. My heart is open, and I’m stuck like glue to the act of giving. Why? Because it is my nature. This is who I am. If you need my help, I want to give it. Hell, I’m a card-carrying ENFP even. Yup, I’m a giver. My thoughts, my energy, my time, and yes, when I have it, my money. I’m certainly not a millionaire, not even close to being among any percentage of elite. I was raised by a middle-class widow and a cluster of sisters, aunts, and cousins. Back then, my family did “take care of their own,” in the truest sense of the Italian, Scottish, Polish meanings. We didn't have money, but we had family, and that meant we had love.
When I left home for college, my mother and I formed a bond over the music and energy of Bruce Springsteen. She was not the fan first; I was. She had a love for music, and growing up, I saw Kenny Rogers, Neil Diamond, and the legendary crooner Julio Inglesias with her along with all my favorite 80s bands. With Springsteen, Mom saw the passion and inspiration I soaked up from his lyric writing, and how it drove me to write and write and keep writing. We would ride around in our brand new used car and I would recite the words to Used Cars to her and sometimes I would show her my own writing. And I vowed to her that we would see him, come hell or high water; we would go to a Springsteen concert together.
- Said by me about this project of mine, January 27, 2012
People are asking, “What, who, why…” about Bruce Funds. And if I step back, sure I can admit that in 2012 it seems incredibly hard to believe someone would be practicing pure altruism about the act of GIVING and not taking. The antithesis of greed, so to speak.
However, for me it is logical and sound to have these intentions. My heart is open, and I’m stuck like glue to the act of giving. Why? Because it is my nature. This is who I am. If you need my help, I want to give it. Hell, I’m a card-carrying ENFP even. Yup, I’m a giver. My thoughts, my energy, my time, and yes, when I have it, my money. I’m certainly not a millionaire, not even close to being among any percentage of elite. I was raised by a middle-class widow and a cluster of sisters, aunts, and cousins. Back then, my family did “take care of their own,” in the truest sense of the Italian, Scottish, Polish meanings. We didn't have money, but we had family, and that meant we had love.
When I left home for college, my mother and I formed a bond over the music and energy of Bruce Springsteen. She was not the fan first; I was. She had a love for music, and growing up, I saw Kenny Rogers, Neil Diamond, and the legendary crooner Julio Inglesias with her along with all my favorite 80s bands. With Springsteen, Mom saw the passion and inspiration I soaked up from his lyric writing, and how it drove me to write and write and keep writing. We would ride around in our brand new used car and I would recite the words to Used Cars to her and sometimes I would show her my own writing. And I vowed to her that we would see him, come hell or high water; we would go to a Springsteen concert together.
Just a few of the many fans from around the world who have been to see their first Springsteen show since 2012.
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And we did. Many times, starting with the Reunion tour. Shortly after, while trying to find tickets on one tour, my mother’s health began a decline from which there would be no improvement. Tickets were seemingly impossible to find; personal funds were too low to pay above face value (don’t get me started on scalpers). Yet, to my young mind, I could not shake the feeling that I could take my mother’s mind off her pain if I could just get her to a concert. So I began asking anyone and everyone I knew for help in finding face value tickets.
The day before this particular show in Boston (yes the day before - see, you never give up), my experience with several other Springsteen fans would leave me blown away with awe. As I know many fans have similar stories, through friends of fans and family, these people heard of our efforts to find tickets, and just like that, 24-hours before the show, we were gifted with somebody’s extra corporate loge seating complete with a buffet that filled two rooms which we didn't realize until arrival. We felt like everything beyond our wildest dreams was possible that night. |
Although I offered face value in exchange for these tickets, these fans insisted that our good time that night would be compensation enough. That night, despite all her painful ailments, my mother danced, sang, laughed, and had the time of her life, like I had never seen before. The energy that swept her up was intoxicating. She was even shouting out to Clarence and Bruce, calling them her sons, her family, with tears of joy in her eyes.
Anyway, before I write too much here, the gift those strangers gave to my mother and me that night remains one of our most cherished memories. Yes, you can put a price tag on the actual event, but you can’t put a price tag on the kindness of others.
Of course the reality is that there is a price tag on a concert ticket. This year [2012], perhaps more than any previously, I personally know of a handful of people who can’t afford a concert ticket. Some have lost their job, their house, their family. Some are struggling to hold onto them, and weighing choices about where to spend their hard-earned dollar: at the grocery store, on the utility bill, on the family’s medical bills or even holding onto it for that dreaded possible emergency.
And I just thought, “Wouldn't it be great to help?” And that thought stayed with me for weeks. And I expressed that to a few other Springsteen friends, and so here I am. Trying to help anyone I can. And I will, personally, as many as I can. But if others join me, we can help more.
Now while it is likely true that no one ever died because they could not attend a Bruce Springsteen concert, I’m in the camp of believers that a little spirit in the night is good for the soul, good for what ails you, and good for these hard times.
And so is helping others. Yup, I’m a giver. I hope you’ll join me.
Anyway, before I write too much here, the gift those strangers gave to my mother and me that night remains one of our most cherished memories. Yes, you can put a price tag on the actual event, but you can’t put a price tag on the kindness of others.
Of course the reality is that there is a price tag on a concert ticket. This year [2012], perhaps more than any previously, I personally know of a handful of people who can’t afford a concert ticket. Some have lost their job, their house, their family. Some are struggling to hold onto them, and weighing choices about where to spend their hard-earned dollar: at the grocery store, on the utility bill, on the family’s medical bills or even holding onto it for that dreaded possible emergency.
And I just thought, “Wouldn't it be great to help?” And that thought stayed with me for weeks. And I expressed that to a few other Springsteen friends, and so here I am. Trying to help anyone I can. And I will, personally, as many as I can. But if others join me, we can help more.
Now while it is likely true that no one ever died because they could not attend a Bruce Springsteen concert, I’m in the camp of believers that a little spirit in the night is good for the soul, good for what ails you, and good for these hard times.
And so is helping others. Yup, I’m a giver. I hope you’ll join me.
DISCLAIMER
Bruce Funds does not buy tickets. (We can help someone offset the cost of their ticket purchase.) Bruce Funds does not sell tickets. Bruce Funds does not support purchasing live event tickets via any 3rd party reseller agent for anything priced above face value. Bruce Funds is not in any way associated with Mr. Bruce Springsteen or his management team. Bruce Funds is not employed by nor officially associated with SiriusXM or E Street Radio. Bruce Funds is not here to place judgement on your need for tickets, providing it is a legitimate need. (For example, seeking assistance to purchase your 4th ticket to the tour will not be considered legitimate and you may be privately judged as someone who should be donating instead, but we won't call you out on it.) Finally, Bruce Funds does not siphon your Springsteen knowledge nor your personal, private information for sale to any 3rd party.