Pearl Jam Give Grant to Ravenwood Outdoor Learning Center

2012-03-21

Story by Anne Erickson

Pearl Jam’s Vitalogy Foundation donates $5,000 to nonprofit organization

Eddie Vedder and Pearl Jam are back in their do-gooder shoes, as the guys have donated $5,000 to the Ravenwood Outdoor Learning Center via their longstanding charity organization, the Vitalogy Foundation. The Ravenwood Outdoor Learning Center is a nonprofit organization in the Flathead Valley that assists an upwards of 400 kids a year in its nature programs, so the funds are going towards a good cause.

Brett Holmquist, Ravenwood Outdoor Learning Center’s executive director and co-founder, has been friends with Pearl Jam bass player Jeff Ament since the two grew up together. “He still often talks about the influence of growing up in open spaces,” Holmquist told Flathead Beacon. “Definitely he’s been real interested in Ravenwood all along. His note to me was, ‘Hey, I’ve been wanting to do this for a long time, go for it.’”

Holmquist added that the Pearl Jam grant will help Ravenwood — which the Montana Environmental Education Association named “Business of the Year” in 2009 — meet the increasing demand for the center’s summer program. He even thinks this summer’s camps could double in size thanks to the new funds from the grant.  “This will be huge,” he said. “All through the recession the demand for growth has been there, but we have to match every fee with some kind of fundraising support.”

The Vitalogy Foundation, which originated in 2004, “aids the efforts of nonprofit organizations working for community health, the environment, arts and education and social change.” On most of Pearl Jam’s treks, $2 from every ticket goes towards the Vitalogy Foundation. More information about the donation can be found via Flathead Beacon. For an update on Pearl Jam’s upcoming album, check out the band’s artist page.

 




Anne Erickson
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