Life is good has received many memorable and moving letters over the years from people who feel a special bond with our products and the simple, optimistic messages they carry. This has been especially true of people who face great adversity. Providing hope and relief in a time of adversity was the motivation for Life is good's first significant fundraising effort following the tragedy of September 11, 2001.
The public's overwhelming response to our American flag tees enabled us to make a $207,000 donation to the United Way on behalf of families whose loved ones were victims of the terrorist attacks. That experience enabled us to see more clearly the opportunity to have a sustained, positive impact through charitable giving. Good, old-fashioned outdoor festivals seemed just right for our brand and our values.
We held our first fundraising festival in Portland, Maine in October, 2003. Thousands enjoyed the day, and over $52,000 was raised for nearby Camp Sunshine, a retreat for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.
On October 21, 2006 more than 100,000 people attended the Life is good Pumpkin Festival in Boston and helped set a new world record for carved, lit pumpkins. Combined fundraising that day in Boston and at Festivals in seven different states: a whopping $590,000 for kids in need.
On July 7, 2007, a playful crowd enjoyed Life is good at Fenway, a unique celebration of good old-fashioned summer fun and Americana at Fenway Park, the nation's best-loved ballpark. Together, we hit one out of the park — our biggest fundraiser ever, with a total of $802,636 raised for kids.
The Little Brand That Could took its festival train to four great cities in 2009: San Francisco, Boston, Toronto, and St. Charles, MO. We continued to step up our music with amazing shows from Brett Dennen, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Martin Sexton, Julian Marley, ALO, and more. Thousands joined our fundraising Good Walks for Kids and thousands more played dozens of games sprawled across the green grass and contributed to our colossal Art for All Murals.
Over 25,000 festival-goers of all ages attended the 2010 Life is good Festival at Blue Hills on September 11-12, 2010, embracing a new and unique event that blurred traditional lines, blending equal parts traditional outdoor rock festival, family-friendly entertainment, and charitable fundraiser. Literally ALL ages came together to rock & roll and raise over $600,000 for the Life is good Kids Foundation.
The festival featured three stages, with one devoted to the best performers in Kindie Rock, including the Laurie Berkner Band, Dane Zanes & Friends, and They Might Be Giants. On the main stages, national headline acts such as Jason Mraz, Ben Harper and Relentless7, Corinne Bailey Rae, Trombone Shorty, Galactic, Guster and many others rocked the event with messages of harmony and optimism. The Boston Globe captured the spirit when it called the festival "a whole new entertainment concept" and a "harmonic convergence of tattoos and strollers."
