Pearl Jam Fans Pick Tosa Skateboard Group to Benefit from Fundraiser

For years, the kids and parents of the Tosa Skateboarders United have persisted in efforts to raise money to build a skate park in , and they still have a long way to go.

But they got a big break this week when the fan base of the legendary grunge-era band Pearl Jam picked their cause to benefit from a fundraiser to be held in connection with a 20th anniversary Pearl Jam concert series Sept. 3 and 4 at Alpine Valley Music Theater in East Troy.

The pre-concert fundraiser party will be Sept. 2 at Hemingway's Port of Call in Lake Geneva and is hosted by The Wishlist Foundation, a Pearl Jam fan support organization. Along with a Wisconsin-style cookout, the event will feature live music, a raffle, auction and items for sale. Admission is $5.

Wishlist Foundation hosts such events around the world to benefit organizations that Pearl Jam and its fans support. The Lake Geneva fundraiser will help both local and national organizations in honor of each member of the band; Tosa Skateboarders United and Save the Turf Foundation for bassist Jeff Ament; Advocacy for Patients With Chronic Illness for lead guitarist Mike McCready; Guitars in the Classroom music education for drummer Matt Cameron; The Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin for rhythm guitarist Stone Gossard; Camp Hope for Kids for keyboard player Boom Gaspar; and Honor Flight veterans organization for lead singer Eddie Vedder.

"It's very exciting that we've been chosen on the basis of Jeff (Ament), who is a skateboarder himself," said TSU secretary Judy Doyle. “This event allows us to take a major step in getting this park built, not only in the funds raised, but in the exposure it gives us in the Southeastern Wisconsin area.”

TSU’s mission is to provide a free, safe, legal facility for its skaters and BMX bikers in an area that encourages all members of the community as spectators.  

"The people who grew up with Pearl Jam now have kids of their own," Doyle said. "This is a chance to show them how our kids are working so hard at this."

Besides getting a share of general proceeds, TSU is invited to conduct its own promotion and fundraising during the event, Doyle said.

The fundraiser will feature music by Cluthe/Lee, select scenes from the play “The Faithfull,” trivia contests, karaoke, a Pearl Jam themed menu, five different bars, a barbecue and s’mores cookout and more.

Attendees can make donations at the event and receive incentive items such as Pearl Jam inspired T-shirts, posters, wristbands, mouse pads and ticket albums and can enter raffles to win fan-donated Pearl Jam memorabilia. There will also be a silent auction that features autographed items donated by band members as well as items donated by sponsors.

Since 2004, the Wishlist Foundation and Pearl Jam fans across the globe have together raised almost a half a million dollars through a variety of grassroots fundraising methods.

The festival weekend kicks off a series of commemorative events for Pearl Jam, including a 10-city Canadian tour and their upcoming Cameron Crowe-directed film, Pearl Jam Twenty, which captures the band’s journey over its history, along with an accompanying book and soundtrack album in September. A nine-city South American tour is scheduled for November.

All ages are welcome to attend the fundraiser at Hemingway's, N3270 County Hwy H, Lake Geneva, 5 to 10 p.m.