Friends of the Amp Celebrate 15 Years of Support
The Friends of the St. Augustine Amphitheatre is celebrating its 15th year of supporting the state-of-the-art performing venue, according to a media release.
The organization was founded by the late Marc and Carol Gladstone, the late Jack Wentz, Barb Wentz, and Dottie Acosta, who later served as president and is a lifetime member. They built the group from the ground up, with a vision to help improve the Saint Augustine Amphitheatre as a destination for headline musicians while preserving the space for community enjoyment, the release states.
The Friends of the St. Augustine Amphitheatre also awards grants to non-profit organizations and schools to rent The Amp for their events or to bring children to cultural events there, free of charge. The group also sponsors two annual summer camps for children: the Music and Art Camp for elementary school and Camp Rock for middle and high school students. Grant awards are funded by membership dues from FOSAA members, corporate sponsors, and other fundraisers like guitar raffles.
“FOSAA has been privileged to not just witness but contribute to the tremendous success of the Saint Augustine Amphitheatre,” said Mark Ramirez, president of the FOSAA Board of Directors, in the release. “While The Amp is known internationally for being a top-rate music venue, our mission is to ensure that it remains an accessible asset to the community that has built, renovated, and supported it. Generations of St. Augustinians have foundational memories that include attending the historic Cross and Sword Show, tasting fresh produce at the markets, or learning an instrument at our summer camps. FOSAA looks forward to inspiring new generations.”
