Making a difference this Christmas

LEWISPORTE - Anyone who is familiar with singer/songwriter Dan Bursey's music knows that he invests so much of himself into his recordings.
Now he is hoping other people will invest themselves in his music for a good cause. From Dec. 4-24 people will have the opportunity to visit Mr. Bursey's website at www.danbursey.com and download his newly recorded version of "Hallelujah Carol".
The single is described as a rootsy acoustic song that's reminiscent of the traditional carols, but gives the listener a fresh take on the classic Christmas Story. It was recorded in Lewisporte at Little Known Artist's Studio along with Dean Stairs and Steve and Carla Clarke.
The proceeds from the sale of the single will go towards purchasing a water purification system for a school in Thailand through a partnership with Peter and Cavell Dove of Imagine Thailand (www.imaginethailand.org). This is a relief organization that works to provide hope and a future for people affected by natural disasters or political conflicts in Southeast Asia.
Mr. Bursey came to know the Dove's a little over a year ago.
"I got to know them a little bit and appreciated what they were doing in Thailand and I was impressed by the type of people they are," he said.
He was so impressed that last Christmas the youth ministry at Philadelphia Pentecostal Tabernacle where Mr. Bursey is the youth pastor got involved in extending some of the holiday spirit to the same region of Thailand that will benefit from the water purification system. The youth ministry was encouraged to give up one Christmas gift and take that money and donate it to a school in Thailand. Many of the students attending the school didn't have footwear. The youth ministry raised $1,300 and was able to provide a pair of shoes for each student.
In speaking with the Dove's this year, Mr. Bursey said the water purification system was identified as a need in a school on the Thai-Burma border.
Ms. Dove is pleased to have Mr. Bursey involved in this project.
"We get excited when people like Dan come alongside us and these children," she said. "We are all about encouraging people to make a difference in their world - whether it's a widow in a refugee camp, a university student in Bangkok, or a musician in Lewisporte."
Mr. Bursey is working on a new CD that is coming out in the spring. He had one Christmas song recorded and he wanted to get it out to listeners now. But he didn't want to just release "Hallelujah Carol" and that be it.
"I wanted to do something that was in keeping with the spirit of the song," he said. "I just could of released it and people might have bought it and that would be the end of it, but I wanted to make an impact and help others somehow.
"We had this idea and everyone seemed excited about it so we went for it. It seemed a natural fit to use a Christmas song - people are a little bit self-serving at Christmas sometimes so I just wanted to use this song to benefit others."
The cost for the water purification system is around $2,500. With 2,500 people going to the website to download the song the project will become a reality. Any funds raised above and beyond that will also go towards Imagine Thailand initiatives. People who download the song can also decide to donate more than the amount of the single download to the project if they wish.
"I'd like to raise enough for 10 systems but the goal starting out is realistic with one water system," said Mr. Bursey.
The singer/songwriter is also hopeful that when people download the song they will share what they have done with others either through e-mailing friends and family to let them know this is out there, or maybe adding it to their status page on Facebook and through Twitter correspondence.
"I wanted to create a community of people involved in this," said Mr. Bursey. "I can have a little part to play in something bigger and that's what I wanted to give people the opportunity to be a part of as well.
"I have a circle of people I can reach, but if each one of those people were to reach out to their circle we would have no trouble reaching our goal if people take it upon themselves to spread the word."
To the people who will download the song and support this project, Mr. Bursey extended his sincere thanks. He hopes people will feel good about supporting the initiative at a cost of only $1.50 per download.
"It's something I am passionate about and it is important because here we have water," he said. "We turn on the tap and don't think about it - but this system will really be improving the quality of life for literally hundreds of people. Children will have safe drinking water because of this, so if you can get involved please do."