How the 501's for Humanity can transform America and the world

By Kevin Fobbs

Making America great again is not just a slogan but it is a call to action that people of good faith and great vision can accomplish. Matthew Virgin, art consultant and auction specialist, firmly believes that the art world can play a vital role in supporting in supporting nonprofits that seek to improve the nation as well as the world. that future world. His vision is to utilize the art world and auctions as fuel to assist his creation of coalition of nonprofits called "501's for Humanity." Why the time is now.

Each child in America, whether he or she is from a small town, farm, suburb or city, represents 100 percent of the nation and the world's future. There are challenges and problems that sweep across the landscape of the nation which need to be addressed now. The "501's for Humanity." charities are combing education, patriotism, skill building, Judeo Christian principles and values as well as protecting women and children victimized by domestic violence into a unique partnership to be active change agents. They are utilizing proceeds from Vision's art auctions to accomplish this.

Of course, there are countless examples of non-profit partnerships around the nation that have combined their individual missions to tackle the daily challenges facing the most vulnerable in society. In the majority of instances, government and private public partnerships have led the way in order to stabilize the lives of the neediest in society.

Annually, government funded and private foundations provide tens of millions in targeted financial support which benefits countless communities. Yet, much, much more can be done. Virgin, a native Australian, believes that art auctions can become the newest transformative vehicle to provide monetary fuel for nonprofits to tackle America's myriad of crucial societal problems and issues.

Every community in America is impacted and in far too many cases local, state and federal government resources are already stretched to the point of ineffectiveness. Virgin's vision is to use the power of art auctions and those who love art to join together and support 501's for Humanity. He explained, "The primary mission is to merge common interests with unique approaches to create positive change for future generations. He added, "501's for Humanity's goal is to combine identities and causes in order to honor the past, experience the present and inspire the future for the betterment of humanity."

Judy Frazier, president of the national non-profit "We The Kids" agrees with Virgin's visionary goal. Frazier emphasized, "Over the last five years, We The Kids has worked with all the organizations that are involved in 501's For Humanity. It has been our pleasure to work with not only professional business owners but with true patriotic Americans who love this country. There's strength and inspiration in numbers because people working unified is greater than they can ever be working apart. "

There is true power in how Virgin is developing a method which allows for those who celebrate and cherish art to think outside of the box, especially art dealers, art collection owners and art galleries. He acknowledges that leaders in the art world can be moved to revolutionize their thinking in how to positively and dramatically impact societal change.

Richard Hauschild, Executive Director of Veteran Are Foundation is fully supportive of the 501's for Humanity and the important role his organization plays. Hauschild said, "VAF's interest in the coalition is two-fold. Always first is our organizations desire to honor and help our Heroes of Service which naturally requires looking back at their role in American history. Second, VAF wishes to promote understanding for the many forms of sacrifice required and value that "service" represents to our future generations."

Imagine a society where art dealers, and owners of great pieces of art decided that they too can play an important role in becoming agents for change not only in America, but in nation's around the globe. There are certainly no boundaries to how much caring, compassion and actual positive change can occur through the power of joint action. Art auctions can be an important segment in this effort.

Sea Quest Kids President Steve Gronka, fully appreciates the value of nonprofit partnership and joint action. Gronka stressed, "It is important for Charities especially smaller ones to work together wherever possible and We The Kids and Sea Quest Kids have been working together for over five years as Divisions of Advance America Foundation and as well the Foundation has for years worked with the Veterans Are Foundation, American Christian Civil Rights Movement, History Strips, and Countermand Amendment."

The understanding of the nation's Judeo-Christian roots and the valuable historical importance it provides is a powerful educational tool for children, parents and even America's leaders. Judi Lake, Executive Director of American Christian Civil Rights Movement (ACCRM) strongly supports the formation of the 501's for Humanity in helping to strengthen, and protect that Judeo Christian historical role. Lake focused her attention on the importance of protecting the future.

The ACCRM Executive Director stressed, "Art which exists as a vibrant tool of human creative skill and imagination has brought us together to use our combined abilities to be positive change agents for the future. This coalition will use these unique skills to create a future for children, the needy, the innocent and those in despair and feel abandoned and hopeless." She added, Art has united us. We are together because as Rev. Martin Luther King said in 1965 'The time is always right to do what is right.'"

The time is now to become the change agents for children in America and across the world. Virgin, believes that "501's for Humanity" can play an essential role in improving the nation and the world.

© Kevin Fobbs