HISTORY . . .
Started in 2004, Nebraska Pride IDOL took off like a shooting star! A live vocalist competition to find the best Nebraska's GLBT Community could offer - Nebraska Pride IDOL captured something special.
Pride IDOL creator, Troy Fienhold-Haasis, realizing the immense public interest in American IDOL, created Nebraska Pride IDOL in May of 2004 as a one night benefit for Pride. IDOL was held at the JOY to a packed house on Memorial Day Weekend. 10 Contestants braved the unknown to sing in front of judges and audience. Over the course of the next 12 months, the interest in Pride IDOL continued to grow and Fienhold-Haasis decided to make the event larger and allow more people a chance to compete.
Thus, Pride IDOL grew into a 10 event competition series spanning 3 or 4 months each spring. Venues were selected, advertising designed and IDOL become what it is today....a fixture in the Nebraska community!
There is no denying that Pride IDOL truly has captured a corner of its own.........judges, audience votes, live vocalists singing their hearts out.........all join together to capture a magical moment at the finals when one lucky and talented vocalist walks away with $500 in prize money, and lots of other prizes!
CHARITY PARTNER . . .
With the increased popularity, Nebraska Pride IDOL now helps special charity partners each year. All proceeds of merchandise, tips and donations help benefit Camp Kindle and another charities selected each year. Camp Kindle, a special summer camp based in Nebraska for HIV/AIDS affected or infected kids, covers the entire cost of kids attending for one week! One week where the kids can be themselves - free from the worries of life, free from the taunts and unkind words of those who just don't understand.
Nebraska Pride IDOL is proud to partner with Camp Kindle to help provide a week at summer camp for some of the most deserving kids you'll ever meet! In both 2005 and 2006, we were able to present checks for $3000 to Camp - enabling us to sponsor an entire cabin of campers during the annual Summer Session here in Nebraska!
In 2007, Season 4 - our finalists, audiences, and supporters stepped forward to help raise the needed funds to again sponsor an entire cabin of campers. In fact, 2007 proved to be so successful, that 2 - $6000 checks ($12,000) were presented to Eva Payne, Executive Director of Camp Kindle at FINALS! 12 Campers = 2 entire cabins of campers was truly a milestone in Pride IDOL's short history!
2008 brought with it our 5th Anniversary Season of competition. We set out goals high with a goal of $12,000 for the 2008 Season. During the Finale in May of 2008, we were able to present over $13,000 worth of donation checks to Eva Payne, Executive Director of Project Kindle (formerly Camp Kindle)! $10,000 earmarked specifically for 10 campers during the 2008 Summer Session in Nebraska; $2000 for the purchase of a defibrillator for camp; and $1000 earmarked for the Students with AIDS Scholarship Fund of Project Kindle!
With other donations from CD sales, our total donation to Camp Kindle has grown to over $31,000 in the last 4 years!
PAST CHARITY PARTNERS . . .
In addition, Nebraska Pride IDOL is proud to have donated over $4000 to Nebraska Pride since 2004. IDOL will continue to help promote and support these very worthwhile charities, along with drawing attention to our charity partner - Camp Kindle!
