Local nonprofit supports Louisiana musicians

Originally located in the Ruston Daily Leader — July 31, 2020

The Ross Lynn Charitable Foundation (RLCF) has responded to social distancing challenges currently upon us by launching virtual formats of many of its programs.

One of those is reaching participants from all over the world to get outdoors and do some good.

RLCF created 5 Day 5K — A Virtual Outdoor Challenge to encourage participants to get outdoors, all while giving back to the greater Louisiana community of musicians, along with those working in the music industry.

All proceeds from 5 Day 5K are being donated to the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation’s Music Relief Fund, amplified by a dollar-fordollar match from the Spotify COVID-19 Music Relief project.

The 5 Day 5K is RLCF’s first-ever virtual outdoor challenge. From Aug. 4-8, participants are invited to complete 5km worth of activity, either over the span of five days or every day for five days. The events can be done anywhere, anytime, and by anybody. Participants are encouraged to walk, run, cycle, paddle, swim — anything to get their bodies moving.

Registration for this virtual event is currently open now through Aug. 8.

To register, visit 5Day5K.com and click “register” to complete the form. Once registered, you can help spread the word and support connection by tagging pictures of you and your friends’ 5 Day 5K experience on Instagram, using the hashtag #GO5Day5k!

Participants are currently signed up in 22 different states and 6 different countries around the world! More information about the event can be found at 5Day5K.com.

The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Relief Fund was created by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation to support Louisiana musicians whose livelihoods have been adversely impacted by COVID-19.

The unprecedented crisis has led to the indefinite cancellation of gigs, event postponements, and venue closures around the world.

It has left many Louisiana musicians and others who work in the music industry facing a total or near-total loss of income for the foreseeable future. To date, the foundation has awarded grants to more than 1,500 Louisiana musicians and music industry professionals.

The Jazz & Heritage Foundation board plans to continue to explore opportunities to support Louisiana’s music culture during this crisis to expand upon its existing community support.

To donate directly to the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation’s Music Relief Fund, visit 5Day5K. com.

Dylan Sanders is the Community Development Coordinator for the North Central Louisiana Arts Council. Contact him at info@nclac.org.