The Genesis of the Jam for Tots Initiative
The Jam for Tots initiative was conceived in 2006 a radio DJ from 102.7 WEQX. She proposed gathering local bands from the Albany area for a charity event to benefit the Marine Corps Toys for Tots at Northern Lights in Clifton Park, NY. Although the venue, which has a capacity of 1,000, saw only 100 attendees and was not a commercial success, the concept was well-received.
Luke from PMT was inspired to move forward with the idea, relocating the event to Red Square in Albany in 2007. Despite heavy snowfall on the evening of the event, it successfully raised $500 in toys, marking it as a success. The ambition grew in 2008, with three events organized across Albany, Utica, and Saratoga, NY, collectively raising $2,000 in toys.
The Expansion Years: 2009-2010
In 2009, the Albany concert moved to Valentine, the Utica event was held at The Electric Company for a second year, and the Saratoga event returned to Putnam Den, all achieving moderate success. Meanwhile, in 2010, Luke expanded Jam for Tots into a tour while working on Positive Mental Trip shows in the south. This tour included cities across NY, such as Rochester, Syracuse, Buffalo, Albany, Saratoga, and Utica, and extended to Baltimore, MD, Virginia Beach, VA, Southbridge, MA, and Hartford, CT.
With an additional contribution from a famous jam band during their show at the Washington Armory, a remarkable $10,000 in toys was raised for children in 10 cities across four states. Luke dedicated himself fully to the tour, performing for free and covering all road expenses out-of-pocket.
A Heartfelt Promise
However, by 2011, financial constraints made it difficult for Luke to sustain his previous level of dedication. Despite these challenges, Jam for Tots continues to thrive today. The unwavering passion of our team, the artists, and every attendee fuels our mission. Our journey is a testament to the belief that we can make a difference, one note at a time. Join our local charity in spreading joy through the universal language of music, making every child’s holiday season a bit brighter.
We would like to thank NYS Music for their ongoing support since 2013, for helping us coordinate shows across New York State every holiday season.