Mona Patel, 28, leads by example as a role model in the community by using her all-girl pop band, TKO4, as a vehicle to fundraise for a variety of causes. Over the last two years, Mona has held shows that benefited the Lesbian Community Cancer Project; Girls in the Game; a sports program for inner city girls; and the Chicago Women’s Rugby Team, which Mona played for until 2003. Mona is most proud of the energy she has put behind fundraising for a program that helps Girl Scouts from the city to attend a camp in Arkansas. Mona thinks one of the most important issues affecting young girls is a lack of exposure to activities such as sports and music. Raised as a first-generation American, Mona said she was the first girl in her family to pick up a guitar or play softball.
‘I was given a shot when I was younger and that did change the way I lived my life,’ she said. ‘I was more confident and outgoing. I think it’s amazing to give back and it actually does make a difference.’ Her next show with TK04 is June 26 and will benefit AIDS charities, Girls in the Game and others.