For its upcoming fundraiser, Austin-based nonprofit CareBox Program will feature a lot of fundraiser staples: food, drinks, a live auction. It'll also feature performances from six of Austin's top standup comedians. This is the second year in a row that the young charity has staged a comedy showcase for its annual fundraiser.
"We picked standup last year because cancer is a really heavy topic, and they always say that laughter is the best medicine, and so we wanted to make sure that we... made people feel good and light and energized about what they're doing," says Lisa Keefauver, CareBox's development director. "And we're also not gala kind of gals."
The CareBox Program, a small organization run by just four women, has been working since 2014 to provide free care supplies to Central Texas cancer patients. Their Standup for CareBox Program fundraiser will provide some fun and laughs while also raising money for their cause.
Comedian Vanessa Gonzalez is happy to be a part of the show, not only because she supports the cause but because she's excited to be a part of this comedy lineup (which also includes Kerry Awn, Arielle Norman, Emily Howell, Eric Nimmer and Andrew Murphy). "The lineup is just insane. Everyone is so great, and I'm so happy to be a part of it," she says.
"I love doing comedy in Austin," Gonzalez says. "The scene here is so amazing and supportive. And then this is for a great cause so it's even better."
The Standup for CareBox Program fundraiser is April 28 at the Atlassian.
