NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 14, 2012
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Neil Willenson, VP Community Relations
Kapco, Inc.
Producer & Creator, The Grand Slam Charity Jam
(262) 377-6500 ext. 215
[email protected]
Second Annual Star-Studded Red Carpet Event “The Grand Slam Charity Jam”
Aims to Raise $125,000 to Benefit Wisconsin Charities.
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Sponsored by Kapco, Inc., event will be held on March 10 at Potawatomi Bingo Casino and
features Smash Mouth, Debbie Gibson, Milwaukee’s own Naima Adedapo of American Idol,
Trista & Ryan of The Bachelorette (ABC), LeRoy Butler and other “Green & Gold” favorites and
many others.
Tickets and Tables on sale now at www.grandslamcharityjam.com
Media invited to cover the celebrity red carpet from 5:30 pm -7:15 pm at Potawatomi’s Expo
Center (media credentials required).
Event Spokesperson LeRoy Butler available for interviews prior to event.
MILWAUKEE —In an effort to help charities struggling in a down economy, Kapco Inc., an
industrial Metal Stamping company based in Grafton, Wis., announced that it is again
sponsoring and producing a unique, philanthropic event in Milwaukee on Saturday, March
10, 2012. Through “The Grand Slam Charity Jam,” Kapco and other supporting sponsors
hope to raise $125,000, which will be distributed to Hometown Heroes
(www.hometownheroes.org) and other worthy local charities. The debut Grand Slam
Charity Jam held in 2011 featuring Sugar Ray and other celebrities net over $103,000 for
more than 15 Wisconsin charities.
During the 2012 Grand Slam Charity Jam (www.grandslamcharityjam.com), Smash Mouth
will perform with special guests Milwaukee’s own Naima Adedapo of American Idol, fast
rising singer/songwriter Grace Weber (Milwaukee native), Broadway Star and former Miss
America Kate Shindle, jazz singer Adekola Adedapo, Nashville singer/songwriter Erica Hoyt
and many others. A celebrity red carpet in Potawatomi’s Expo Center will feature wellknown reality stars and paparazzi favorites Trista & Ryan Sutter of The Bachelorette (ABC),
pop singer and current Celebrity Apprentice (NBC) star Debbie Gibson, and many other
local and national celebrities.
The Grand Slam Charity Jam begins at 5:00 p.m. in the Expo Center with the Celebrity and
VIP dinner party, over 200 silent auction items, live music by Nashville singer/songwriter
Erica Hoyt, and the celebrity Red Carpet. The Grand Slam Charity Jam concert will
immediately follow in the Northern Lights Theater beginning at 8:00 p.m., and an after
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party in the Tribal Room will conclude the event from 11:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m. This type
of Red Carpet celebrity event is very rare in the Milwaukee area.
“This unique Milwaukee event provides an ideal avenue for charities to raise funds and
awareness of their vital missions, without having to extend significant staff and financial
resources,” says Neil Willenson, producer and creator 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.
The $125,000 goal will provide vital support for a number of charities including: Hometown
Heroes which aids children, families, veterans, soldiers and first responders 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 other vital local charities.
“For Kapco, there is no single greater reward than giving back to the community that has
embraced our business for so many years,” says President of Kapco and founder of
Hometown Heroes, Jim Kacmarcik. “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.”
Currently, Kapco is the main presenting sponsor. Additional sponsors include Culver’s, the
Milwaukee Admirals, Exacto Spring Corporation and many other local businesses. All
tickets include a full dinner and concert, and range from $100 - $500 per ticket. Tickets and
tables are on sale now through www.grandslamcharityjam.com or by contacting Neil
Willenson at (262) 377-6500 ext. #215 or via email at [email protected].
For more information about the Grand Slam Charity Jam, please visit:
www.grandslamcharityjam.com or facebook.com/grandslamcharityjam
For Red Carpet Press credentials contact Neil Willenson at (262)377-6500 #215 or [email protected]
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