Interview with Operation Soulshine Founder Scott Miks

By: Lisa "Sunshine" Svelnys

LA Rock Correspondent- Xombiewoof Magazine

Host- Hollywood Rock Underground TV

They say LA is a cold place, they say people "don't care" and everyone is just out for themselves... NOT TRUE.

A couple years ago I met an incredible man, Scott Miks who founded Operation Soulshine.

Last year was the first annual Operation Soulshine concert, this year the ante has been RAISED we hope to see you at The PCH Club in Long Beach March 22nd for a rockin good time and to help those that really need it...

Lisa: How did you come up with the idea of Operation Soulshine?

Scott: OPSS came from a feeling our world had become callous, selfish & inconsiderate in nature as a society. This pushed me to start a small group that was simply about being a better person. I knew a few likeminded friends would join & we would take the next step & "do" better by others. A way to let the inner soul shine, acts of kindness that bring about positive energy, helping the world to be a better place to live in. A good deed for another, talk to a stranger, buy someone a cup of coffee, help a wandering dog out of traffic, a simple sandwich for someone that would otherwise be hungry. Well, the idea became infectious. Our small group quickly became 1000. I thought; why not make this even bigger. An entity... The idea for the first OPERATION SOULSHINE CONCERT came to mind. A few of us with the same vision got together & put this benefit concert together. We had six bands, item donations for homeless people or pet. A raffle including; gift certificates, T Shirts, jewelry & a GUITAR!! Local vendors present in support with goods & wares. It was a huge success. The turnout was more than I could have dreamed. Operation Soulshine was born.

Lisa: Who does it help?

Scott: In the past two years, Operation Soulshine has joined force with Monday Night Mission, feeding the homeless on Skid Row and Reservoir Dawgs Sanctuary, helping homeless dogs with medical & provisional care until a forever home is sought. These groups are funded by good heart, deed & effort. They are not large Non Profit Foundations. Operation Soulshine helps with the financial burden that surrounds these acts of kindness.

Lisa: Who will be playing this year?

Scott: The Pharmaceuticals, Memory Layne, Criticalmass, Dan Sindel and Burn Cycle.

Lisa: How can people help that are outside of the area?

Scott: I am currently working on the official Operation Soulshine website. There we will have ways for people to donate, purchase merchandise and contact us for volunteer work. They can also do things in their own community. There is help needed all over the world! I also suggest people go to their local homeless shelter and volunteer, or go to the animal shelter and help walk some dogs, provide some treats, and give them some love outside of the cage they are in. Buy a stranger a meal. Have the meal with that stranger...you may just learn something! So many enlightening and humbling experiences have brought me to this juncture. It's amazing how it feeds and heals the soul when you do good by someone else.

Lisa: Operation Soulshine was a huge success last year, what are you hoping for this year, what is the goal?

Scott: To surpass not only the attendance, but to open more eyes and spread more awareness about our mission. Making others aware of the things they may never even see or hear about is how we get more souls onboard! It will be a gathering of great music, great friends, great energy...and all for a great cause! We want OPSS to go worldwide one day! Our main goal is to have others seek out those in need and help make this world a better place for everyone.

 

A donation of $10 cash or $10 worth of NON PERSISHABLE food items (items we distribute on skid row the most are WATER, CAPRI SUN, GRANOLA BARS, PEANUT BUTTER, JELLY, BREAD, FRESH FRUIT, PRETZELS, BOXED RAISINS, FRUIT CUPS, BOXES OF SANDWICH BAGGIES, LATEX GLOVES, POP TARTS, BAR SOAP, TOTE BAGS, RAIN PONCHOS, PAPER TOWELS...new or gently used blankets/sleeping bags.....AND/OR..$10 worth of Dog food. We try to give the animals we care for the best we can, so the preferred dog food would be Natural choice, Canidae, Natural Balance & EVO(wet and dry), and Costco Salmon dry or Lamb & Rice dry, if possible, as well as treats, beds, toys/supplies as it will all go a long way.

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