Our Digital Gift

Atom Groom News Updates

Posted: May 12th, 2010

What does it mean to give back? Why is it important? What can we as designers or web developers do to help others accomplish their dreams and ultimately truly affect the lives of others?

Well, hopefully I am going to answer some of those questions in this news post for March 2010. I recently went to WiseCrackers Comedy Club in Merrillville, Indiana. It was a great time and I highly recommend it to anyone visiting the area and even locals who are just looking to get out and have some fun! The featured comedian Amaru was the last on stage and had a great performance. Towards the end of his performance he went into a serious note about how he at one point in his life was homeless. He spoke about the tragedy in Haiti and how great it is that so many Americans have graciously responded with time and donations, yet he finds it amazing that in our own country we don’t respond in the same manner.

That is when his words begin to really hit home with me on a personal level. I am one of those individuals that donated my money and also my talents toward the relief of Haiti. Hearing Amaru say that made me realize that I could be doing more for people right here in our country who need help, just as bad. I wondered if there was ever a way for me to get my business card directly into Amaru’s hand and was not very confident that even if I passed it off on to someone working the venue, it would make it into his hand. The event came to a close and my date and I put on our jackets to leave, seconds later, Amaru walks practically right into me. Amazing? Yes.

I simply placed my card in Amaru’s hand and said “Call me, Let me know what I can do to help”. That’s it. The connection was made the next day with an email directly from Amaru. This is the day that “Our Digital Gift” was born. The Homeless Comedy Tour will be the very first client to receive the digital gift and we hope to present it every year to a worthy cause.

The Homeless Comedy Tour will be receiving; a logo / identity, collateral, and a full website.

Who are we? I have been long time partners and friend with Joseph Gonzalez of Miracle Twenty One, who is the first partner in this new venture. I also approached another good friend of ours Kevin Bruinsma of Drifter Threads to collaborate as a partner as well. Can you see the power of three? We can and we’re sure that we are going to provide Amaru and his cause with the visual identity and web presence the Tour deserves.

So… what does it mean to give back? Why is it important? What can we as designers or web developers do to help others accomplish their dreams and ultimately truly affect the lives of others?

~ Hopefully I’ve answered those questions. I hope that other designers and web developers are inspired and will do the same for worthy causes. What we’re doing isn’t new, it’s been around in our industry for years and years. We’re simply bringing it to the industry with our “flavor” and style. Get involved and help others, it’s the right thing to do. Use your talents and skills, inspire, create, and change lives.

Links and Information:

The Homeless Comedy Tour Official Site: http://www.thehomelesscomedytour.com
The Homless Comedty Tour Blog: http://www.HomelessComedy.Blogspot.com

Amaru’s Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/therealamaru
Amaru’s Blog: http://www.therealamaru.Blogspot.com

Joseph Gonzalez / Miracle Twenty One: http://www.miracletwentyone.org/
Kevin Bruinsma Website: http://www.kevinbruinsma.com/

Update: May 12, 2010

Final Logo Created by Joseph Gonzalez