Republic, WA
Last week The Ferry County Rail Trail Partners (FCRTP) were contacted by Pearl Jam front man, Eddie Vedder, and told that the band plans to contribute $25,000 to the nonprofit group’s upcoming trail surfacing project. The donation comes from the Vitalogy Foundation, which supports the efforts of non-profit organizations doing commendable work in the fields of community health, the environment, arts & education and social change.
The Ferry County Rail-Trail is a 25-mile multiuse, non-motorized rail-trail that connects four towns, two school complexes and has miles of lake and river waterfront.
Photo by Mike Ellingson
“I’m totally amazed.” said Whittaker, president of FCRTP “I had heard it announced on the news that Pearl Jam are inductees to the Rock n Roll hall of fame, then a few hours later I got a text from Vedder with the news. What a lovely guy, band and a wonderful organization.”
Keith Bell, vice president of FCRTP, said, “It’s a real boon for our non-motorized trail project. Specifically the funds will likely be used as a match for a Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program grant.”
Vedder asked that the donation be made in the name of Chris McCandless, A modern adventurer who was the subject of the award-winning book and movie Into the Wild. Furthermore, this donation is in recognition of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and their ancestors who have walked this valley for thousands of years.
