Two Central Florida concerts on Sunday dedicated themselves to benefiting the 49 victims at Pulse, and to bringing the "Orlando is love" message to as wide an audience as possible.

  • American Legion Post 19 concert will donate proceeds to the GLBT Center of Orlando
  • Haven Lounge concert proceeds to go to Equality Florida
  • Both charities will direct funds to victims and their families

Music and love were what organizers of the Sunday concerts at American Legion Post 19 and Haven Lounge wanted victims, survivors and anyone affected by the tragedy to hear and feel as they attempt to move forward with their lives.

“What we do here, each and every one of us that’s here, what we’re all about is comraderie,” said Wade Foster, Commander for the American Legion Post 19. “We may not all have the same job, but what we do is all about each and every one of us that’s here.”

According to Foster, proceeds from the American Legion Post 19 "Orlando Strong" event will go to the GLBT Center of Orlando to help victims and their families.

Meanwhile, Billy Meyers III, whose band "Glorious Rebellion" performed along with eight other groups at Haven Lounge's "Orlando Love" benefit, knows that fundraising for the victims and their families is just a start in terms of what can be done to help the community heal.

“This is going to raise some money, that’s not enough. It’s not enough,” said Meyers. “And quite frankly, I don’t think there’s anybody that could do anything that would be enough, besides inventing a time machine to not have this happen. But it’s something.”

Others who performed tonight say there’s no better way of healing than music.

“Whether it’s hip hop we’re playing in there or R&B, it doesn’t matter," said Randi Stickles of "Blaine the Mono." "We’re all here to get by, listen to music and really therapeutically deal with this together.”

There will be another concert at the Haven Lounge in Winter Park to benefit Pulse victims on Sunday July 17th. Proceeds from the Haven Lounge shows will go to Equality Florida to benefit victims and their families.