5 Columbia area bands, one ticket – and a great cause

Raise your hand if you’ve ever been helped by an agency that receives support from United Way of the Midlands.

If you’ve still got both hands wrapped around your coffee cup, you might want to think again. In addition to agencies like Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Greater Columbia, Central Carolina Habitat for Humanity and Family Connection of South Carolina, United Way of the Midlands’ partner agencies include the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association and the Girl Scouts.

Founded in Denver in 1887 to make it easier for small community organizations to receive funding, coordinate relief efforts and other services, United Way pretty much invented the workplace giving campaign.

But workplace giving isn’t just about filling out a pledge card any more. Just ask the employees of Companion Data Services, who will be turning that model on its head Saturday.Instead of a traditional campaign, the organization will host Columbia’s first Harmony of Giving event.

And just what is Harmony of Giving?

For music lovers, it’s a concert that will bring together five terrific local bands – One Time Band, Mustache Brothers, Chris Compton and Ron Rollins, the Mark Rapp Quintet and the Danielle Howle Band – at Music Farm Columbia.

“They’re pretty big names, so it’s really special to get them all together,” said Molly Brantley, United Way of the Midlands’ communications manager. “It’s a cool, fun way to raise money, and it gets people out of the office.”

For United Way, it’s a way to spread the word about the organization – between each set, United Way will screen video featuring the stories of recipients – and raise money. The goal for this event is to sell 500 tickets and raise $10,000.

The concert begins at 5 p.m. Tickets are $18.

For more information, visit www.musicfarm.com