‘Jammin’ Into Fall’ benefits Hampton nonprofit

Musicians have a history of helping worthy causes, and members of the North Hills band Altered Egos want to keep up the tradition.

They’re the featured attraction for the benefit Jammin’ Into Fall for Spenser’s Voice, scheduled from noon to 4 p.m. Sept. 17 at the PA Market, 108 19th St. in the Strip District.

Proceeds support Spenser’s Voice Fund at the Pittsburgh Foundation, started by a Hampton family in memory of their son.

“We established this foundation after Spenser’s death to support organizations working particularly with youth and young adults and their families who are struggling with substance use disorder,” his mother, Tina, said. “All our money comes from donations or fundraising, and we have granted out more than $200,000 to local agencies since our inception.”

In recognition of her efforts, Tina was among the 2022 Larry and Marty’s Hometown Heroes, honored by KDKA radio personalities for making positive impacts on local communities.

“Because of that my employer published an article about it on our intranet. And two employees who are members of the Altered Egos band reached out to me, and they said, ‘We’ve been looking to do some nonprofit work. We’d love to do this together.’ So that’s how this all came about,” she explained.

Spenser Flowers, a 2015 Hampton High School graduate, died two years later of an accidental overdose at age 20. Among the people who knew him is Ann Hodos, a member of Altered Egos with her father, Eric.

The group consists of “otherwise employed professionals who all have an affinity and desire to play music,” which in turn leans toward a repertoire of songs “with more than three chords, rich harmonies and catchy hooks,” according to thealteredegos.com.

Special-edition Spenser’s Voice T-shirts will be for sale during Jammin’ Into Fall, with profits going to the fund. PA Market is donating space for the event and 10% of food sales, and the Yinzer Group will continue to donate what it makes from selling Sarries Candies chocolate Yinzer Bars.

Wine tastings at Mighty Oak Barrel in Oakmont — owned by Michael Flowers, Tina’s brother-in-law — have brought in a considerable amount of money for Spenser’s Voice Fund since its inception.

“We’ve had incredible support from family and friends,” she said, “and we couldn’t do any of this without them.”

Spenser’s Voice Fund supports organizations including:

• Prevention Point Pittsburgh, a free service with five city locations.

• Hope 4 Inc., a North Huntingdon recovery group coordinated and run by non-professional peers.

• Sage’s Army Inc. Recovery Center in Greensburg, another nonprofit inspired by an overdose victim.

• Holy Family Institute SHORES (Support Hours of Recovery Ensure Sobriety) counseling program, based in Emsworth.

• Familylinks Inc. in East Liberty, offering family-centered community, behavioral and social programs.

• Gateway Rehab addiction treatment centers, with locations in multiple counties.

According to the National Institutes of Health, substance use disorder is a treatable mental disorder that affects a person’s brain and behavior, leading to an inability to control the use of legal or illegal drugs, alcohol, or medications. Addiction is the most severe form.

For more information about Spenser’s Voice Fund at the Pittsburgh Foundation, visit pittsburghfoundation.org/spenser-fund.