OXON HILL, Md., Dec. 27 (UPI) — Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder lent a helping hand in the form of $10,000 to a struggling Maryland family on Christmas after their Craigslist plea went viral.
“I am a mother of six, 5 boys and 1 baby girl… I’m so hurt,” Tyshika Britten wrote on Craigslist asking for help as her family faced eviction with no money for Christmas gifts. “I’m trying my best. I pray everyday and now I’m begging for help. I know it’s not about the gifts, but they are kids! I’m such a failure right now . . . please help me.”
The ad caught the attention of The Washington Post which published an article on Britten and helped her family’s struggle get the public’s attention.
“I was just so moved by the story and what this mother did for her children,” Vedder told The Washington Post. “I thought those kids must be so proud of their mother for reaching out. That takes a lot of courage.”
Vedder said he was inspired to help out as the Brittens’ situation reminded him of his own childhood.
“There were years there were toys from Santa, but they were used and they came from garage sales and they didn’t always work,” the singer shared.
In addition to Vedder’s donation, the Brittens received a number of donated gifts on Christmas, including an Amazon Kindle and a puppy. Their GoFundMe page also raised $18,000, from a goal of $6,000, that the family says will give them a “head start” on their future.
Vedder recently made headlines when Pearl Jam was named to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class of 2017 along with Journey and Tupac Shakur.
