Though some of the younger kids skating in the area may not have grown up with Pearl Jam on their playlists, few today would argue you can’t find a better band. When sponsorship of a new Zamboni landed on the Wishlist of the Two Harbors Youth Hockey Association, the award-winning alternative rock legends sent more than just hearts and thoughts. Their support helped the program Just Breathe and Stay Alive on the ice, proving once again that Pearl Jam knows how to keep communities Jam’ing.
Two Harbors is home to many of the band’s biggest fans, including Jesse Lundgren, the Executive Director of the association. When the association began brainstorming how to raise funds for the county’s new Zamboni, Lundgren was the one who decided to think outside the box.
The old Zamboni had grown worn down, with parts becoming tougher to obtain and maintenance increasingly difficult. Given the machine’s importance to the arena, a breakdown could have caused major issues. The county purchased a new one last year under the agreement that the association would pay a portion of the cost over the next several years.
“That’s something they’ve done with certain things with us and also up in Silver Bay at that arena,” explained Nate Gens, President of the association. “They help support our association so we can have this equipment.”
After leaving the new Zamboni all black for a year, “because it was a sharp look, we thought,” according to Gens, the association started putting out feelers for advertising interest.
“We had a couple that were interested to do advertising but then our arena manager, Jesse Lundgren, he said, ‘well, I want to try this,’” said Gens. “Because he’s a huge fan of Pearl Jam, he just sent out an e-mail to whatever contact he was able to find.”
The community has always stepped up for the association, but in a small town, businesses get asked for help constantly. Looking to an outside source would relieve some of that pressure.
“We have so many businesses in the area that advertise and support us. They’ve been great,” said Gens. “We love all of our partners and the kind of collaboration we do with so many of them that it kind of also made sense to put it out there some where a little bit outside of the area, just because so many of our local businesses get hit up for so many things as it is, and that’s including from us for different reasons. So, we just kind of thought, well, let’s just see.”
Lundgren’s “Jamboni” proposal explained what the Two Harbors Youth Hockey Association is all about, including its ongoing mission to keep hockey affordable for kids. There was a little back and forth until the request reached the band members themselves.
“Obviously, we didn’t really think it’s something that would really happen. But it was neat, just the idea to try and then just ask. They were pretty receptive right away, ”Gens relayed. “It doesn’t sound like they waited or took too much time before they said, ‘yeah this is a great idea.”
It’s remarkable that a band larger than life would respond to a small town seasonal rink, one without the bells and whistles of a major arena, but that authenticity seems to be exactly what appealed to Pearl Jam, who are as generous as they are talented. Their support in Two Harbors reflects a long-established pattern of activism that has defined the band for decades.
Pearl Jam’s Vitalogy Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, provides financial support to community health and equity, environmental conservation, and arts and education. They’ve raised funds for Habitat for Humanity, the Red Cross, the Jazz Foundation of America, and many others.
The band also has a rich history of activism and benefit performances. They donated the proceeds from their cover of “Last Kiss” to refugees of the Kosovo War. Over the years, they’ve supported causes including Crohn’s disease awareness, environmental protection, and voter education.
Many of the band’s fans also pay it forward. The fan-run Wishlist Foundation has raised over $1.5 million for more than 250 beneficiaries.
By supporting the Jamboni, Pearl Jam eased a financial burden for the association, allowing money previously earmarked for payments to instead go toward other needs, especially expensive goaltending gear.
“Because they’re helping supplement our payment for the Zam, we’re able to put that back into things we needed for the association and just kind of make life a little bit easier for the kids and parents,” said Gens.
The Jamboni itself is a sight to behold, featuring a Pearl Jam designed logo on each side. Gens describes it as “pretty cool,” adding, “I think it fits, goes on there real nice, and it’s got a sharp look to it.”
“Jesse sent them some ideas he had with different logos of theirs,” explained Gens. “This is what they liked so they sent back something similar to what’s on there now. There were a couple of tweaks but in the end, it was up to their artist then it went from their artist to the band for final approval.”
While specifics remain under wraps, the association isn’t done celebrating. Gens noted that “we’ve got some things in the works” and confirmed they plan to show their appreciation for the band. For now, the plans are deliberately kept quiet, but the buzz is undeniable. From district meetings to news outlets to Facebook posts, the Jamboni has already drawn high praise. Whatever form the celebration takes, the community is ready to keep the momentum rolling.
In the end, the Jamboni isn’t just a machine. It’s a symbol of how generosity can move in Even Flow through a community. Pearl Jam didn’t have to step in, but their gift has been Given to Fly, carrying the Two Harbors Youth Hockey Association into a season where the ice is smoother, the gear is lighter, and the burden is seen only in the Rear view mirror. For a small-town rink, that’s nothing short of rock and roll magic.
