Cheerleader singer OMI, rapper Nelly, and R&B group En Vogue are just some of the artists that are gearing up to perform to raise funds for the children of The Bustamante Hospital for Children.

The line-up also includes Dancehall King Beenie Man, American musical duo Rock City, Popcaan, Ding Dong, Bugle, Terror Fabulous, featuring Nadine Sutherland, and Gospel favorite Kevin Downswell.

The concert is organized by the Shaggy Make A Difference Foundation, which was founded by the diamond-selling artist, and 100 per cent of proceeds from the concert benefit The Bustamante Hospital for Children, the only paediatric hospital in the English-speaking Caribbean. The Foundation’s executive director, Rebecca Packer, says that the goal is to raise more money than the 2014 event.

Dare To Care

“It’s a big goal, and we can’t do it without everyone’s help. We are asking people if they dare to care… and already, a lot of people are saying, ‘I Dare’. There are more ways to support the cause and help us help the Bustamante Hospital, and one of the ways is through donating. Every mickle mek a muckle, and supporters can rest assured that 100 per cent of the funds will be going directly to the Bustamante Hospital,” Packer said.

The Foundation’s longtime partner, Food For The Poor (FFP), has kept its online donation link live from the 2014 concert, allowing people to continue to donate even after the show has ended. People around the world can make tax-deductible donations, big or small, by visiting www.foodforthepoor.org/teamshaggy4kids. The donations made via FFP are also tax deductible in the US. Donations are also being accepted at any ScotiaBank branch in Jamaica and any CapitalOne Bank in the US.

Adding that there are more acts to be confirmed, Packer announced that early bird tickets for the concert would be available online through CaribTix.com starting tomorrow (Monday, December 7). Early bird tickets are available in the silver and gold categories for $5,000 and $10,000, respectively, and are available only while stocks last. Regular tickets go on sale the following week for $6,500 (silver), $12,500 (gold), and $23,000 (platinum). Tickets can be purchased online until December 21 or while stocks last, and traditional ticket outlets will be announced soon.

“Every dollar from the show has always gone towards purchasing equipment and supplies for to the hospital. That’s why we say 1 Ticket = 1 Life. So if we can find additional streams for people to assist, especially from people who cannot attend the concert, we welcome them with open hearts and arms. Our partnership with iHeartMedia and Fiat expands our capacity to do that exponentially,” said Shaggy. “Everyone might not be able to attend the show, but it gives them opportunity to make a difference by donating what they can.”

The Fiat brand is partnering with The Shaggy and Friends Foundation to bring the concert programming and information to millions of listeners via iHeartMedia.

iHeartMedia will promote the benefit concert and the SMS “text to donate” details across America with on-air and digital promotion through more than 120 CHR (contemporary hit radio) and RCHR (rhythmic contemporary hit radio) broadcast radio stations and on iHeartRadio. iHeartMedia will also produce a 60-minute rebroadcast of the benefit concert on January 3 at 8 p.m., local time across its stations, as well as on its iHeartRadio digital platform.