By Hanna. Have you heard of PluggedIn? It’s a Needham, MA based non-profit organization focused on bringing teens together to perform in a band. Playing in a band acts as an opportunity for creativity, a place to make good friends, and a time to have fun while growing musically. PluggedIn began in 2002 as one band with five students, and has now grown to an organization of 90 students in 25 bands that have helped to raise thousands of dollars for charities all over the world through live concerts. To date, PluggedIn has supported the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Music for Relief (started by the band Linkin Park), Amnesty International, and Keep a Child Alive, along with several others.

Before programs begin, students come together at an event called “Charity Night” and bring to the table organizations, charities and causes that are important to them. The teens present what they know and have learned about their cause and why they feel it should be supported. After all the causes have been reviewed students vote to choose the organization or charity that they believe should be benefitted by a PluggedIn concert. Not only do these kids dedicate a lot of their time to charity through their musical talents, several teens volunteer with other non-profit organizations and some even tutor younger students.

As PluggedIn looks to the future they’re seeing the world, intending on going global. Summer 2011 has plans of a global music camp called “Music That Matters”. PluggedIn also plans to go on annual trips to countries all over the world, and to coordinate cross-cultural programs, helping students connect with musicians from other countries and cultures, and giving them an opportunity to learn new musical styles and instrument techniques.

Visit PluggedIn’s Official Facebook Page, Twitter, YouTube Channel, or website to stay in touch with the students and bands.

Website- http://www.pluggedinband.org/

Facebook page- http://www.facebook.com/PluggedInBand

Twitter- http://twitter.com/PluggedInBand

Youtube- http://www.youtube.com/user/PluggedInProgram