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Last week, when I wrote about how the suppressed economy has affected local culture<\/a><\/span> by using theatrical spaces as my examples, I did not reflect on how it also hurts dozens of employees and owners who are still mired without dependable incomes. Of the thousands more in Illinois<\/strong> and millions across the United States<\/strong> facing extended shortfalls like these individuals, consider that a large percentage had already been struggling before March. We also have no accurate timetable as to when joblessness in our state will significantly shrink<\/a><\/span> or how nominal unemployment benefits can honestly help our citizens<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n Sure, getting one\u2019s finances stabilized is a chore during a pandemic. Maintaining one\u2019s physical, mental, and emotional well-being at the same time is a much more precarious issue. We\u2019re all hammered by the repercussions of COVID-19<\/strong><\/a><\/span>, but strife is exponential for those in our cities and towns with perennially low incomes and little other resource who struggle in affording basic needs, including key medical services, while racism, classism, and violence take a huge toll. Fortunately, creativeness and leadership can offer a well-timed response in down moments like the present that both lifts us up and inspires us to take action for the good of our neighbors. Video is the vehicle allowing voices to be heard in this instance.<\/p>\n On Friday, June 26<\/strong>, a fundraising incentive called \u201cC-U Sings<\/strong>\u201d debuted with a collaborative cover of The Beatles<\/strong>\u2019 \u201cLet it Be<\/strong>\u201d performed by more than 50 vocalists and instrumentalists. Visit YouTube<\/strong> to watch the performance<\/a><\/span>, discover who contributed to this rendition, and learn how the project came to be through the core efforts of businessman James Barnham<\/strong> and studio engineers James Treichler, Ryan Groff<\/strong>, and Mark Rubel<\/strong>. More importantly, all proceeds donated through the \u201cC-U Sings\u201d page<\/a><\/span> at the Community Foundation of East Central Illinois<\/strong> website will go towards the operating costs of Promise Healthcare<\/strong><\/a><\/span>, a network of professional services and facilities in Champaign-Urbana<\/strong> that provides for the underserved, and Champaign County Health Care Consumers<\/span><\/strong><\/a>, an office that educates and advocates for just practices in our unwieldy medical system. Barnham wants the drive to bank more than $10,000 for them both, according to a News-Gazette<\/span><\/strong> feature<\/a><\/span>, and hedges that further \u201cvolumes\u201d might not be far off.<\/p>\n ~~~~~<\/p>\n