Posted: Thursday, January 8, 2015 12:00 am
By MJ Slaby 812-331-4371 | mslaby@heraldt.com
Philanthropist and musician Sir Bob Geldof — known for the Live Aid concerts and the song “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” — is coming to Bloomington.
He will be the fundraising dinner speaker for the O’Bannon Institute for Community Service. The dinner is April 30 at the Monroe County Convention Center and benefits the Ivy Tech Community College Bloomington Center for Civic Engagement.
This year is the 12th for the O’Bannon Institute by Ivy Tech. It was created as a way to have a community conversation about important issues and is a three-day event that includes a day of volunteering, panel discussions and more.
The 2014 fundraising dinner speaker was retired four-star general and former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell.
Geldof was first known for his music career, starting with The Boomtown Rats in 1975. He became an avid philanthropist due to the 1984 famine in Ethiopia and created Band Aid to perform “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” as well organized the fundraiser Live Aid. It’s because of that work that he was knighted in 1986.
The singer and songwriter continues his charity work with Live 8 concerts started in 2005 as fundraisers for global charities. This November, “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” from Band Aid was remade with artists including One Direction and others to benefit those fighting Ebola in West Africa.
“As a tireless campaigner for numerous charities throughout the world, we look forward to Sir Bob’s insights into humanitarian, political and global challenges and opportunities,” said Jennie Vaughan, chancellor of Ivy Tech Bloomington in a news release.
Tickets to the fundraising dinner are $100 each. To buy tickets and to reserve a seat at the panel discussions on May 1, go to http://obannon.ivytech.edu/tickets or call 812-330-6001.
About Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana's largest public postsecondary institution and the nation's largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state's engine of workforce development, offering associate degrees, long- and short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns with the needs of the community. The College provides a seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a bachelor's degree.
