Frustrated with the lack of initiative by leaders in government on both a state and federal level, rockers Pearl Jam and Jack White have kicked into action, spearheading efforts to support residents of Flint, Michigan in the midst of a catastrophic public health disaster due to high levels of lead and other toxins in the drinking water.
The Eastern Michigan city’s residents have been besieged by toxic chemicals from the Flint River, which became the city’s new source of drinking water in 2014. Michigan governor Rick Snyder’s appointed emergency manager, Darnell Earley — who now runs Detroit’s failing Public Schools — oversaw the ill-fated switch.
While little has been done at a municipal level to offset the damage and return life to normal for residents, Jack White’s Third Man Records store in the Cass Corridor is holding a water drive to help aid those in need in Flint. Every gallon (or case) of water brought to the store will earn donors a raffle ticket for a drawing of Third Man’s limited edition “Hateful Eight” soundtrack package (due out Monday). Donors will also receive 20 percent off their purchase.
Pearl Jam is taking matters a step further, however. In a combined effort, $125,000 from the band and another $175,000 from partners including their label, Republic Records, music industry giants like Ticketmaster, Live Nation, and nonprofits like the Glaser Progress Foundation and Brandi Charlie’s Looking Out Foundation, over $300,000 has been raised for the United Way of Genesee County, according to the Detroit News.
Pearl Jam has also launched a CrowdRise campaign asking their fans to donate anything they’re able to support Flint with clean drinking water. As of this writing, $354,456 has been raised through the campaign, far exceeding the band’s original coal.
Additionally, the United Way’s Flint Water Fund is helping lead relief efforts in Flint, and is pledging to use 100 percent of donations to help the community.
