Eddie Vedder, frontman of Pearl Jam, has donated a beautiful new ukulele, autographed and marked with his signature drawings, for the benefit of The Lands Council, Spokane’s longest-serving environmental nonprofit. The online auction runs July 28 through August 11 via Charitybuzz, an organization that supports thousands of nonprofits with digital fundraising strategies.
In other similar auctions, ukuleles have raised as much as $20,000 for charity causes, and TLC Executive Director Amanda Parrish hopes that will be the case for this instrument, too.
Photo courtesy of Zack Berlat
“Not only are we thrilled to have this really special gift from a musician who shares our passion for climate justice, but in a year of constant changes in funding due to federal budget decisions, we are just so grateful for opportunities like this to bring new donors into our circle of care,” Parrish says.
It’s the second act of generosity by Vedder toward The Lands Council this year. He also donated his well-loved, Ferry-County-branded canoe — made famous by its appearance in the liner notes of his ukulele album, for the organization’s annual auction this spring. After serving as a photo prop for attendees, the canoe made its way home with the winning bidder to Tri-Cities, Wash.
Vedder learned of The Lands Council’s work through his friendship with Spokane local Bobby Whittaker, who was a manager for grunge bands. Read more about that connection here.
This year, The Lands Council celebrates its 40th anniversary, honoring four decades of work begun by physicians to protect and revitalize Inland Northwest forests, water, and wildlife. Learn more at landscouncil.org.
