Metal stamping company, Kapco Inc. of Grafton, has announced the launch of its ‘Grand Slam Charity Jam’ event which hopes to raise $100,000 for more than 50 charities in Wisconsin.
Metal stamping company, Kapco Inc. of Grafton, has announced the launch of its ‘Grand Slam Charity Jam’ event which hopes to raise $100,000 for more than 50 charities throughout Wisconsin. The event will be held at Potawatomi Bingo and Casino and will highlight celebrity artists like Sugar Ray, American Idol stars Kimberley Locke and Paris Bennett, Jamecia from Sounds of Blackness; Abri van Straten of The Lemmings; and The Boogie Men.
“For Kapco, there is no single greater reward than giving back to the community that has embraced our business for so many years,” said Jim Kacmarcik, president of Kapco and founder of Hometown Heroes. “That’s why we feel both privileged and honored to do all we can for the people of our community. Whether it’s producing The Grand Slam Charity Jam or making financial donations to community organizations, it’s important to us that we continually seek unique ways of saying thanks for supporting Kapco.”
The event will be held on Saturday, April 2 and will feature a VIP dinner party with live art by international artist Eric Waugh. The concert will begin at 8 p.m. and an after party will conclude the event. Local celebrities including Kristin Bauer, Racine native and star of HBO’s True Blood, Packers legend LeRoy Butler and former Milwaukee Brewer Larry Hisle will also make appearances at the event.
"The entire goal of this event is to create an easy vehicle for charities to raise money because the staff and financial resources are hard to come by these days," said Neil Willenson, producer of The Grand Slam Charity Jam, vice president of community relations for Kapco, and the longtime founder of One Heartland, a national charity for children affected by HIV/AIDS. "I’ve been thinking about this type of event for 18 years. As the former CEO of a national charity, I know its difficult to implement large scale fundraising events, because nonprofit organizations don’t have the ability to underwrite national talent."
According to Willenson, KAPCO is underwriting many of the expenses in partnership with some other corporate sponsors.
The money raised at the event will provide vital support for charities including Hometown Heroes which aids children and families from Southeastern Wisconsin facing obstacles; The LeRoy Butler Foundation, which helps women going through breast cancer treatment obtain the assistance they need to focus on the job of healing verses the financial impact to their families; and the Community Health Charities, a coalition of 59 Wisconsin Health Charities.
"It’s really going to be an amazing event," Willenson said. "We have fantastic auction and silent auction items, and an opportunity for everyone to get involved."
Butler is planting to auction off a barbecue for 25 people during a Green Bay Packer game, Willenson said. "He’s actually going to come to the buyer’s house and cook for them." Other silent auction items include a private lunch with Robin Yount, he said. Ticket prices range between $60 and $500 depending on what portion or all of the evening guests would like to attend.
"All charities should encourage their supporters to participate," Willenson said. "When purchasing tickets, those interested can enter the name of any local charity and they will receive a check for a portion of the ticket sales after the event."
Named charities will receive 50 percent of all ticket proceeds for the dinner and after party event and 100 percent of ticket proceeds for the concert portion, Willenson said. For tickets or more information visit www.grandslamcharityjam.org
