Music charity organization
to benefit from local events
EAST BRUNSWICK — A township-based organization that has raised $15,000 since March to provide music scholarships for the New Jersey children who lost a parent in the attacks of Sept. 11, will serve as the beneficiary of several local rock shows this weekend.
The Jersey Jams Fund, run by Bob Makin of East Brunswick, is a fiduciary fund of the Bergen County United Way. Families apply for scholarships through the United Way’s Family Advocate Program. The scholarship money was raised through sales of a CD titled Jersey Jams, Jersey Cares, which is a compilation featuring the music of numerous local, original artists, and was also raised from concert ticket sales and donations.
The scholarships provided through the program help children pursue the study of music, which can increase their math skills, SAT scores and college opportunities, as well as bring them joy, according Makin. The Jersey Jams Fund helps pay for music lessons, school band equipment, sheet music, music camp, graduate school and expenses for auditions, competitions and festivals. The fund is expected to be expanded to help other New Jersey children.
This weekend’s benefit concerts include a show Friday at the Court Tavern in New Brunswick. The show, for ages 21 and up, begins at 8:30 p.m. and features Spiraling, Planet Janet, Dibs, Mr. Neutron, Subway Surfers and a Beatles-Who Holiday Jam with special guests. Admission is $5 and all proceeds go to Jersey Jams Fund.
Saturday, a Dogs of War Christmas Benefit concert will be held at the Broadway Central Café in South Amboy, featuring Joe Canzano, Keith Beck, Stone Soup, The Marbles, the Dead Pony Cats, Bongo Jones and several other bands. It begins at 8 p.m. and is also for ages 21 and up. Admission is $10 and will benefit a local victim of cancer, as well as the Jersey Jams Fund.
For more information, go to www.jerseyjamsfund.org.