We, the interns, spent the last week at a music festival in Pennsylvania called Creation NorthEast. If there's one word we would use to describe it, it would be "HUGE". There were probably 60,000 people at the festival each day, and from what we hear, that's 20,000 less than years previous!!

Even though it might sound overwhelming, we had such an incredible time! We were placed next to some incredible and encouraging people that even let us use some of their booth space to display our EPOH bags. Once we did that, we realized that our booth set up looked really good. Not to brag or anything, but a lot of people came up and told us how impressed they were with our setup.

One of our goals as a group is to invite and connect with each person that approaches us. It's been a lot of fun, and we've definitely met a wide variety of individuals at each festival. This was no exception at Creation.

One day, when we were experiencing a slight lull in traffic, a man came up to our booth and asked us what we were all about, and how we got involved. He was really nice, and he began explaining that Africa has always had a place in his heart, and that he would love to go there some day. As he was speaking, we noticed a small group of girls forming behind him, sort of looking at the back of his head. Soon enough, they tapped him on his arm and asked, "Excuse me, could we have your autograph?" So, he took out a permanent marker from his pocket and signed his name on all of their wristbands, and turned back to us and continued talking. We happened to be speaking with a man named Ben Kasica, the lead guitarist for the band Skillet, which was headlining the entire festival that night. He watched our trailer and purchased a choker from us. What a cool guy!

Another thing that we try to do is make friends with other vendors around us. It's an interesting life we lead, because we see the same faces at each festival. It almost feels like a traveling family. Not quite a circus...but sometimes that may be a fitting word to use. The people we were placed next to at this festival, the ones that let us use their booth space for EPOH bags, talked with us often about following our hearts and doing the right thing, regardless of what others think. We were super encouraged by this, and we have seen the value of taking risks and stepping out in faith...this organization is a direct result of that!

Anyhow, at this festival, there were a couple of girls, Jenn and Kodee, across the aisle from us that were working with an organization called 'My Fight'. This organization gives micro-loans to small business owners in Honduras and Ethiopia. These girls were super passionate about what they were doing, and were definitely supportive of the LightGivesHeat mission!

We are grateful for everyone's support of us as we go out and spend our summers in this way. We know that if you've been on the LGH website you've seen stuff about voting for us on Facebook. Well, we still need your votes. We've been telling all sorts of people about it at each festival, and we have seen a really super response. We want to encourage you and thank you for voting, if you have. Every vote really DOES count!!

Take it easy (but not too easy...) and wear that sunscreen!

Love,

-The LGH Summer Crew