TAILGATE FOR A CAUSE
Click here to see our TFAC Myspace page

What it is: TFAC is a group of renegade, die hard Dave Matthews Band fans who have come together in the name of charity. The idea started in 2004 at Alpine Valley, when, in the process of raising money for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society, we decided to bring several grills and extra food and drinks to the show for anyone not prepared to tailgate.

We had food – and didn’t charge for it (venues will not allow), but donations were kindly accepted and all profits (at that time) went to the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. All the funds raised were in cash, and a matching corporate donation was made. This totaled approximately $3,600 – and an idea was born!

Subsequent years saw The Cause change from the Leukemia Lymphoma Society (2004) to The Hurricane Katrina Relief Effort (2005), Neuroblastoma/pediatric cancer (2006), Autism Speaks (2007), and Susan G. Komen for the Cure (2008). The concept stayed the same – bring food for the folks, and good karma will come of it.

We are honored to have been featured in Tailgater Monthly magazine.

Where it is: 2009 Tailgate For A Cause will be held at the following 3 locations:
7/19/09 – East Troy, WI (Alpine Valley)
7/31/09 – Noblesville, IN (Verizon/Deer Creek)
8/01/09 – Noblesville, IN (Verizon/Deer Creek)

Tailgate For A Cause is also tentatively sheduled to be at these additional locations pending confirmation of tailgating arrangements:
9/01/09 – Salt Lake City, UT
9/12/09 – Chula Vista, CA
9/13/09 – Irvine, CA

During October of 2009, Rick, one of our TFAC volunteers, will be heading to Africa to volunteer with the Day Care Centers in St. Lucia, South Africa through African Impact. The St. Lucia area is heavily affected by HIV/AIDS. It is believed that in some communities, up to 70 percent of the people are infected with the virus. As a result, many children are orphaned. Most of these children live with relatives, but they are often left by themselves during the day while their caretakers are at work.

There are Day Care Centers in the local village to help keep these children off the streets, and to make sure they are well looked after and educated. Some days there are up to 80 children under 6 years old for the Centers to look after with little resources. Volunteers assist in taking care of the children at different Day Care Centers. Volunteers may also get involved with HIV/AIDS education, building projects, and/or farming. Rick's trip will be entirely self-funded (not TFAC donations). However, funds raised as a result of TFAC will go to the children of St. Lucia, via a financial project gift.