The 50,000 free tickets to this year’s Virgin Mobile FreeFest, scheduled for Sept. 21 at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Md., have already been scooped up, but fans who still wish to attend the fifth annual music festival can earn entry by volunteering their time.
During its previous four years, FreeFest has raised nearly $800,000, which has gone toward building the RE*Generation House by Virgin Mobile, a transitional home for homeless youth run by Sasha Bruce Youthwork in Washington, D.C. Although tickets are technically free, Virgin Mobile USA has been able to raise funds through donations during the checkout process, VIP package plans and on-site donations.
For this year’s FreeFest, several hundred tickets have been put aside for people willing to volunteer their time at the Sasha Bruce House or donate hygiene kits (travel-size toothbrushes, toothpaste, liquid soap, shampoo, deodorant and lotion) in exchange for a free ticket. The volunteering option at the shelter consists of landscaping, painting, cleaning and gardening in late August. And the hygiene kits can be dropped off at the shelter at times designated on VirginMobileFreeFest.com.
“One of the things unique about [the RE*Generation House] is that there’s quite a bit of land around it,” Virgin Mobile USA senior brand manager Felicia Hill says. “We’re using that outdoor space to teach the kids about gardening and urban greening, and how to eat better. With the crops that come out of that, they’ll be able to sell to not only local farmers’ markets but also local restaurants.”
The 2013 FreeFest will feature performances from acts including Vampire Weekend, MGMT, Robin Thicke, the Avett Brothers, Pretty Lights, Kaskade and Chvrches. The festival is presented by Samsung and promoted by I.M.P.