October 26, 2006 at 7PM the Boerner Botanical Gardens in Hales Corners, WI will be home to a concert that is being held to raise money for The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The event features three bands, raffle items, jamming and more. The bands scheduled to perform are:
They are asking for donations at the door of $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 5-12. Children under 5 are free. Jamming is encouraged. Free parking is provided, and there is a beautiful view of the gardens.
I spoke with James Brocksmith via email about the event and asked him to share with us how he came to organize such an event and what inspired him to do so. Here’s his response.
This benefit came about as a way for a couple of bands to play together in the same venue. As the plan developed, I started to think of a way to get as many people to show as possible. I thought why not just make this a fundraiser for a cause that is very dear to my heart, Juvenile Diabetes. My wife and I have been involved in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation for four years since moving from the Raleigh area to Milwaukee due to my job. My wife serves as a committee member for the JDRF annual gala. The JDRF has always been a very fiscally responsible organization with more than 80 cents of every dollar raised going to fund research or educate families stricken with this deadly disease.
My cousin here in the Milwaukee area has a son who at the young age of four nearly died and is still, now at 8, closely watching his numbers four to six times a day and getting his shots daily. I also play music with a young boy where at the age of 17 months was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Today, he has a very specific diet and if not for his careful parents would not be here at now 10 years later.
I soon found the perfect venue, the Boerner Botanical Gardens with seating for 350. I’m receiving a large amount of support from the venue, bluegrass fans, friends and family. We will have three bluegrass bands donating their time, lots of jamming, raffle items (which I am still trying to gather) and a cash bar. I am hoping to raise awareness to Juvenile Diabetes, have a great time all the while raising cash to fund research and educate. All proceeds will go to JDRF. I am still searching for any corporate donors who could offset some cost. But as they say, “The show will go on”.
