Skip to Main Content

2015 Night of Hope Brightens Lives

Night of Hope was conceptualized by students while visiting the devastation of Haiti after the 2010 earthquake. Following the trip, the students planned the inaugural year of Night of Hope which raised funds to support relief efforts in Haiti.  Since that first year, Night of Hope has supported the Lutheran Malaria Initiative, Fikisha, Aban and International Justice Mission. It has also remained a completely student-run event.

CONTACT:
Ann Ashmon, Associate Vice President of Strategic Communications
(949) 214-3152
[email protected]
[email protected]

Irvine, CA - (March 4, 2015) - The annual Night of Hope benefit concert at Concordia University Irvine will be held in the Concordia Amphitheater on March 14, 2015 from 6-9 p.m. Night of Hope was conceptualized by students while visiting the devastation of Haiti after the 2010 earthquake. Following the trip, the students planned the inaugural year of Night of Hope which raised funds to support relief efforts in Haiti.  Since that first year, Night of Hope has supported the Lutheran Malaria Initiative, Fikisha, Aban and International Justice Mission. It has also remained a completely student-run event. 

“Night of Hope is a night of the arts that brings the students of Concordia University Irvine and the community together,” said senior Mariah Neilson, the 2015 executive director of Night of Hope. The two performers at the concert are Hestyn and City of Lions, both of which are based in Orange County. Student artists have submitted pieces for a silent auction and a community art project created throughout the concert will be raffled off at the end of the night.

Hestyn’s unique mix of modern alternative rock with roots in rock and roll will open the night. “There are many needs in this world. Hopefully, we can contribute and excite others to contribute to a greater cause!” said Hestyn member Josh Munz.

Hestyn will be followed by the independent rock band City of Lions from Newport Beach. “We love having the opportunity to pump people up and get the party started,” said City of Lions vocalist Chad Smith. “Our music comes from a place of love and playing an event like Night of Hope allows us to help spread that message of love,” said Smith.

The proceeds of the 2015 Night of Hope concert will benefit Heavenly Treasures, an organization that works to alleviate poverty, raise local leaders and to bring the gospel to people around the world. Through their jewelry and sewing projects they give many at-risk individuals jobs skills and a deeper understanding of business. “What I like about Heavenly Treasures is that they are not enabling those who they help, rather, they are enabling them to start their own business so they can sustain their families and their communities,” said junior Shea Frates, a student integral in the planning process of Night of Hope.

“Night of Hope gives us a platform to spread hope and life to those who may be in desperate need of it,” said Smith. This hope is for attendees learning about world issues and for the people the proceeds will benefit.

Tickets for the event are $5 at the door and will benefit Heavenly Treasures. Further information can be found on https://www.cui.edu/nightofhope or by emailing [email protected].

About Concordia University Irvine

Concordia University Irvine prepares students for their vocations—their calling in life. Concordia University Irvine offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and adult degree programs in a beautiful Southern California location in the City of Irvine, with online and regional cohort options. Concordia’s undergraduate program is distinctive among universities in California because of its nationally recognized Core Curriculum, and its Lutheran heritage that provides a thoughtful and caring Christian community that lives out the theology of "Grace Alone. Faith Alone." Concordia is a U.S.News Top Tier Regional University and has been named by The Chronicle of Higher Education as one of the fastest growing private nonprofit master's institutions. Concordia University Irvine enrolls over 4,000 students.

print
Back to top