Spoken Word Artists, Performers Unite for Life Amplified SALUTES

TAMPA, Fla. - June 25, 2013 - PRLog -- Life Amplified SALUTES, a military appreciation event, spoken word and talent showcase will be held on Saturday, September 14 at 1pm at Tampa Pitcher Show, 14416 N Dale Mabry Highway.

What began as a single event in January has evolved into a series of talent showcases benefiting local worthy nonprofits in the Tampa Bay community.

After the successful production of Life Amplified and Life Amplified STOPH8 earlier this year benefiting Redefining Refuge then Teen Edge, when Life Amplified creator Deborah Bostock-Kelley heard about the work nonprofit K-9s for Veterans was doing in the community, she did not hesitate to make them the recipient of her third charity benefit.

Although service dogs can cost up to $20,000 each, K-9s for Veterans founder Mike Halley refuses to charge, rather relying on community and business donations to help sponsor the compound and its veteran and four-legged guests. Halley takes great pride in providing his ADA-certified trained service dogs to veterans of any era, with visible and invisible disabilities including diabetes, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury without cost.

“I met Mike at the compound and talked to some of the veterans who were learning to work with their service dogs,” said Bostock-Kelley. “The stories were incredible and there was no question. I wanted to help this organization.”

With more variety than ever, the September charity benefit will feature 24 acts including poets, singers, dancers and comedians – from an 8 year old comedian and 9 year old rapper to talented singing senior citizens.

The event will be hosted by comedian SomeGuyNamedFrank and comedy improv troupe Nine and Numb will headline.

“Life Amplified has grown by leaps and bounds,” said Bostock-Kelley. “People mistakenly think that Life Amplified is a nonprofit, but it’s not. When someone says ‘what can I do – I’m just one person?’ I say look at Life Amplified. It’s not a charity but it helps charities. I’m just a person in the community who took action to help a worthy organization and suddenly, it transformed into something more than I ever expected. I believe in karma and ‘Pay It Forward.’ If you can use your abilities to help someone, whether a person or an organization in need, really, what’s holding you back?”

In addition to the outstanding entertainment at this family-friendly showcase, there will be a raffle and silent auction featuring donations from over two dozen local businesses including photography, wine tasting, massage, SEO service, pet supplies, and even a psychic reading.

“Initially, it took 3 months to get 9 performers in January with me as the emcee, 90 days to get 23 performers in May with TV personality Kellie Lightbourn as the host and UAAMusic’s Mikel Soulhop as our headliner and less than 3 days to overflow September’s roster. Considering we use social media to advertise this 100 percent volunteer event and we’ve only existed for 6 months, that’s pretty spectacular.”

A portion of the ticket price and all raffle and auction proceeds raised will be benefit K-9s for Veterans.

"We're incredibly grateful to both the performers and all the companies that have generously donated to this special event," said Bostock-Kelley. "We're hoping to be standing room only for this showcase."

Tickets are wallet-friendly at $8 advance online and $10 at the door.

Donations of any amount to the nonprofit continue to be graciously accepted and appreciated by PayPal via the charity's website at www.k9sforveterans.org or by check mailed to K-9s for Veterans, 907 East 129^th Ave, Tampa, FL 33612. All donations are tax-deductible.

Learn more about Life Amplified at www.lifeamplifiedshowcase.com, Facebook www.facebook.com/spokenwordshowcase and buy advance tickets at http://lifeamplifiedsalutes.eventbrite.com/.