Lexington, KY - When a powerful earthquake rocked central Italy, rendering tens of thousands of people homeless in April, Rock Daniels and a friend were having coffee at the Chevy Chase Starbucks. Daniels' friend, Andrea Branchini, happened to be the local organizer for CIAO (Cultural Italian American Organization), and the two wondered how they could help the distraught people in another part of the world.
As a working young professional, Daniels was knowledgeable about the lifestyles of that particular cohort. He was well aware that many people his age want to engage in philanthropic endeavors, but grueling work schedules often prohibit them from becoming too involved. The solution became Happy Hour for Humanity - a monthly series of fundraisers in various locations across Lexington.
"Young Lexingtonians, they want to give back, they really do, but they don't want to strap on a pair of boots and build a house. They need a map," Daniels said.
Daniels' hunch was right. The first meeting in April was held at The Tin Roof on South Limestone, and the response was overwhelming - over 100 people attended and organizers raised over $3,000 for the Italian earthquake relief fund. Since then Happy Hour for Humanity, now a non-profit LLC, has held benefits for the Kentucky Children's Hospital and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Interestingly, Daniels made an important life decision earlier in the year to become sober, but he didn't want his personal decision to hinder his friends and colleagues from responsibly enjoying themselves.
"I quit drinking six months ago, which is funny that I started a happy hour non-profit organization," he said. "But it works. Just because I don't drink anymore doesn't mean that my friends don't."
Daniels, who meets with other organizers every morning at the Chevy Chase Starbucks ("the center of the universe," as he likes to refer to the coffeehouse), thinks Happy Hour for Humanity could easily be expanded to other cities in the region and nation, but aside from the good sleep he gets from being so involved with the numerous charitable causes around town, he really enjoys seeing the positive effect the organization is having on his friends - now part-time philanthropists.
"It's affecting them in a positive way. It's bringing all of us together doing something for a good cause," he said. "My friends are really stoked about doing this. It affects people very, very close to me, and it affects people as far away as, you know, Italy."
The next Happy Hour for Humanity will be Aug. 13 at McCarthy's Irish Bar, 117 S. Upper St. For more information, visit www.happyhourforhumanity.com.