Bulletins

• 

  Nov 24, 07:42 PM

  Own a piece of Dispatch history!

  Did you attend DISPATCH: ZIMBABWE? Would you like to own a piece of the show? For the holiday season, DISPATCH will be offering a piece of the stage from their sold out concerts at Madison Square Garden in 2007. Purchases come with a Certificate of Authenticity. 100% of proceeds to benefit The Dispatch Foundation's efforts in Zimbabwe.
  
  Enter the store...
  
  STAGE PACK 1 - $25
  One 2"x2" piece of the stage from Madison Square Garden (limited
  edition 1/1000) and Certificate of Authenticity.
  
  STAGE PACK 2 - $40
  One 2"x2" piece of the stage from Madison Square Garden (limited
  edition 1/1000), one 8"x10" glossy photo of DISPATCH on stage at
  Madison Square Garden, and Certificate of Authenticity.
  
  STAGE PACK 3 - $50
  One 2"x2" piece of the stage from Madison Square Garden (limited
  edition 1/1000), one 8"x10" glossy photo of DISPATCH on stage at
  Madison Square Garden, one black DISPATCH: ZIMBABWE tee-shirt (limited sizes), and Certificate of Authenticity.
  
  STAGE PACK 4 - $100
  One 8.5"x11" piece of the stage from Madison Square Garden
  (limited edition 1/100), one 8"x10" glossy photo of DISPATCH on
  stage at Madison Square Garden, and Certificate of Authenticity.
  
  Enter the store...
• 

  Jul 08, 11:39 AM

  A Note From **Dispatch**

  to all our family in the 'Patch-
  
  man, we just had the best time getting to play last minute at the Kennedy Center in DC...can't tell you guys how much it meant to us that you were willing to come out on such short notice to support us and stand for our brothers and sisters in Zimbabwe! What an honor to get to meet the Prime Minister, Morgan Tsvangirai, and hear his hopes for the rebuilding of his country...and what a joy to dust off our acoustic guitars to play an old school set of 'Patch favorites...and get to reconnect with so many of you guys, as well! it really was one to remember!
  
  so, yeah, just wanted to thank you again for always being so supportive of all our efforts. the 3 of us are so thankful...if we could ask you guys to do any one thing, it would be to remain educated and engaged in telling the tory of the Zimbabwean people, particularly regarding the next presidential election in ZImbabwe. it has to occur sometime in the next 12-14 months and we all need to press on ensuring that it is a "free & fair" election...
  
  thank you for continuing to care. you amaze us every time and we look forward to seeing you again someday, somewhere, somehow :)
  
  stay strong & keep positive
  
  open handed with Elias and the rest of our Zimbabwean brothers and sisters, we stand for love!
  
  pete, chad & brad
  
  check out these fine sites for up to date info on Zim:
  
  http://www.swradioafrica.com/
  http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/
  http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk/
• 

  Jan 27, 10:16 AM

  All New Dispatch Online Store!

  

  Dispatchers:
  
  The all new Official Dispatch Online Store is now open for business, stocked with NEW and VINTAGE items!
  
  Visit the new Dispatch Online Store to get your gear today!
  
  **TEAM DISPATCH**
• 

  Jan 06, 09:37 AM

  Dispatch Updates

  Patchers!
  

  
  

  Happy 2009!  May this year bring peace and happiness to all.

  
  

  A few fun updates!

  
  

  ROCKO, Pete's brother made the finals in the Dorito's "Crash The Superbowl" Contest!  He entered with a home-made commercial spot called "Power of the Crunch."  We are asking for your help in voting for Rocko by logging on to Crash the Superbowl  HERE.  Each time you vote for Rocko, you enter yourself into a contest to win Superbowl tickets! Vote once a day to increase your chances!
  

  
  

  HOW'S YOUR NEWS, a TV show that Chad co-created, will begin airing on MTV starting Sunday, February 8th at 10:30pm, and will play for the next six Sundays at the same time.  Please watch it and pass the word on to your friends!  Visit the How's Your News website  for more details!

  
  

  DAY OF LIGHT, a feature documentary produced by Braddigan, will have its world premiere at Cinequest Film Festival in late February 2009. Entering what appears to be a war-zone, La Chureca, is actually a landfill in Nicaragua home to over 1,500 people.  Visit the Day Of Light website for more details!

  
  

  Enjoy!

  
  

  **TEAM DISPATCH**
• 

  Nov 25 2008, 01:19 PM

  Year End Newsletter

  FROM THE BAND
  
  

  Dispatchers-
  
  What is up everybody?! Greetings and much turkey love to all in the 'Patch!

  
  

  We just want to say a quick thanks to all of you guys for being family to us, for playing it loud, and for keeping the Dispatch legacy alive and well. It is really humbling to see how the music continues to take a life of its own in and through all of you, and that you guys are willing to walk with us wherever we go. We can't tell you how much your interest in supporting the Dispatch Foundation has meant to us as we've tried to find our place in the fight for the people of Zimbabwe. It's been a difficult year to watch all that has transpired there, but we're still going to hold to hope and keep vigilant.
  
  State Radio, Pete Francis & Braddigan have all had a wonderful 2008 as well; many good shows, adventures, and benefits that we've all gotten to be part of.

  
  

  You guys have re-written the books as to what the power of one can accomplish... So just keep confounding them all, keep giving it... keep bringing it... keep walking it.... because there is nothing you can't do standing unified! So keep that beat going and thanks for bringing us along with you...

  
  

  We are thankful for much. Here's to an epic 2009 and many Thanksgiving wishes to all of you and your families!

  
  

  Pete, Chad, & Brad

  
  

   

  HOLIDAY SALE

  
  

  The annual Holiday Sale
  at The Official Dispatch Store starts today, featuring the new "Rise Above Hoodie", lyric series "Elias Tee", and "Balloon Girls tee". Also stop by to check out all of the vintage sale items. Order your Dispatch  gear in time for the holiday season today!

   

  
  FROM THE FOUNDATION
  
  

  Thank You for an amazing 2008.
  
  

  Over the last year, we have joined with you in speaking out against human rights violations, unfair elections, and worsening health conditions. Together we raised hundreds of thousands of dollars and helped save the life of a promising young man. We sent thousands of emails on your behalf to the United Nations and the US Congress. We have held benefit concerts and awareness nights. Because of your support, orphans are being fed and are going to school; children are learning how to communicate about HIV; textbooks are distributed to schools in rural towns, and Manual is walking and communicating.

  
  

  All along, this has been your Foundation. Thank you for the support. We are excited to see what you do next in 2009.

  
  

  The Latest News from Zimbabwe

  Schools are closed. Supermarket shelves are empty. Hospitals have no gloves, medicines, bandages or disinfectant.

  
  

  The power-sharing compromise between the ruling and opposition parties appears to have unraveled.

  
  

  A cholera outbreak is spreading due to deteriorating sewer systems and the onset of the rainy season.

  
  

  Join Zimbabwe’s Song

  
  

  Zimbabwe needs your help. Last December, we together helped save one boy’s life. This December, help us provide urgently needed emergency food and nutrition relief.

  
  

  We have identified three organizations that are working on the ground now to supply much needed nutrition and food aid. Each of these organizations provides food and nutrition relief for one person for less than 1 dollar per day. We are excited to announce that The Dispatch Foundation will match each dollar received, doubling the impact of your gift.
  
  MAKE A DONATION TODAY HERE.
  
  

  There is a massive food shortage, due to 2 years of poor harvests and floods. And, inflation has reached 231 million percent, preventing many Zimbabweans from buying food.

  The World Food Program (WFP) estimates 45% of the population is malnourished and in desperate need of food, but funding shortfalls have forced rationing of stockpiles and there is no food for January or February.
  

  The recipient organizations are:

  
  

  Elias Fund and the Elias Fund Trust (Southwest)
  The program is 3 years old, created and directed by a native Zimbabwean and provides food assistance to families whose head of household is blind.
  

  Forgotten Voices (Southeast)
  This organization provides emergency food relief to rural orphans and vulnerable children.
  

  UNICEF (Countrywide)
  Since 1984, UNICEF has been working to bring Zimbabwe’s children lifesaving programs, such as nutrition relief assistance in times of crisis. Currently, UNICEF supports 70 therapeutic feeding centers in Zimbabwe.
• 

  Oct 07 2008, 09:58 AM

  October 2008 Newsletter

  From the Band

  
  

  Dispatchers-

  
  

  October 2008. Looks like Fall is finally upon us.
  
  A new season means it's probably time to give your wardrobe a little jolt. Head over to the Official Dispatch Store and check out our 2 new t-shirt designs, a little teaser for what we'll be bringing you this Holiday Season.
  
  As you are also aware, it's almost election time. We hope you've been paying attention to all of the coverage these past few months and educating yourselves about the candidates. Needless to say, this is the biggest election of our generation and we all need to get out there and VOTE! Registering to vote could not be easier, and deadlines are fast approaching. Visit our friends at Headcount.org to register and get information about absentee voting. We'll see you at the polls November 4!
  
  Finally, be sure to check out all the guys while they're on tour this fall. Find tour dates for Braddigan as he tours thoughout the US, as well as overseas in Laos and Vietnam, Pete Francis, who will be out with Keaton Simons, and State Radio, out with Bongo Love on the Take the Country Back tour. 
  
  Until next time,

  
  

  **TEAM DISPATCH**

  
  

  From the Foundation

  
  

  The Latest News From Zimbabwe

  
  On September 15, the Zimbabwean government and the opposition party signed a power-sharing agreement. With this agreement, the ruling party will retain the Presidency, while the opposition leader will become Prime Minister. This will ensure freedom of expression and aims to prevent further political violence. Currently, the two parties are at an impasse and unable to agree on cabinet members. The mediator of the agreement, Thabo Mbeki, has resigned as President of South Africa. Once a new government is formed, the U.S. and the European Union have promised substantial financial support to rebuild the country. 
  
  Inflation has surpassed 11 million percent. This past Monday, higher denomination bank notes were introduced and limits increased on daily cash withdrawals. The South African currency, the Rand, is becoming the currency of choice. 
  
  There are reports that schools have no teachers and students have been asked to stay home. In the south, school fees were increased from $50 a term to $1,500. 
  USAID is projecting an extreme food shortage this fall and expects the country to run out of cereals by early November. Read the entire report here. 
  
  Our Work
  
  Manuel has returned to Harare and is working with a speech therapist. He is making great progress. He is walking and communicating in Shona. Elias is incredibly proud of the progress and so grateful for your support! 
  
  One of our supported organizations, the Elias Fund, is traveling with Bongo Love on tour for the next two months. Through October, Bongo Love will be opening for State Radio. Follow the travels of the guys at the blog of events. 
  
  SocialVibe
  
  The Dispatch Foundation has partnered with SocialVibe to help raise money and awareness for Zimbabwe. Sign up to get started and choose The Dispatch Foundation as your cause, then recruit all your friends at school. Here’s the deal - the High School that recruits the most new members to SocialVibe by November 15th will receive a check for $10,000. So, sign up at SocialVibe and download the badges to your social networking pages – Facebook, MySpace, iLike, etc. Every time someone clicks on your page, you raise money for the Dispatch Foundation.
  
  And, the Dispatch Foundation is offering incentives to fans who raise the most money. The prizes include free VIP tickets, meet and greets with band members, and merchandise so please sign up and see what you can do!
  
  **TEAM DISPATCH**