BY BRITTANY DANIELLE for WEEKLY VOLCANO 12/26/25 |
One look at his fifteen-year-old black lab, Eris, and Matt Eisenhower began a movement that has surprised even himself.
On January 3, 2026, Eisenhower will host and play in Rockin’ for Rescues at the Spanish Ballroom. This benefit concert is for the Pierce County Humane Society and is proving that grassroots efforts can grow quickly when a community rallies around a shared cause.
The upcoming night of live music will donate all proceeds, from ticket sales to raffle tickets and beyond, to the Pierce County Humane Society, an organization that provides shelter, medical treatment, and adoption services for animals across the region. While the event itself is larger in scope, its origins trace back to a much smaller benefit show held in Kitsap County near the end of summer 2025.
That first show was organized with limited resources and a short timeline, but organizers say the response exceeded expectations. Attendance was strong, donations came in steadily, and the atmosphere made it clear that the community was eager to support animal welfare through local events. By the end of the night, conversations had already begun about doing something similar again. Those conversations quickly turned into planning. People from Tacoma and surrounding areas wanted to go bigger, and once the idea crossed Andy Moreno’s desk, the booker at the Spanish Ballroom, heartstrings were tugged and dates were set.
Following the Kitsap County show, musicians, vendors, and local businesses began reaching out to the organizers, expressing interest in helping build a larger benefit that could reach more people and generate greater support. The result is the Pierce County event, which expands the original concept into a more comprehensive fundraiser while maintaining its community-centered approach.
Live music remains the foundation of the evening. Performances are scheduled from four bands of different genres. The idea is to give variety to attendees because, like animals, people are all different, but they can come together with a common goal. The bands are Joel Gibson Jr. Duo, a country powerhouse; The Unsundered, an indie rock band with whom Eisenhower plays; The Devil in High Def, a harder rock band in which Eisenhower also plays; and Sun-Over Static, a synth-alt band that delivers 1980s nostalgia.
Eisenhower says the bands involved have committed not only their time but also their platforms, helping promote the event and the mission behind it. They all have their own stories of rescue animals that have come into their lives and understand that community does not always mean just the people involved.
Organizers say responsibility extends to all living creatures and the organizations that try to help them.
In addition to the music, the benefit will feature local sponsors and vendors, including Burris Electric LLC from Gig Harbor, Bigfoot House of Vinyl from Bremerton, Spartan Plumbing from Tacoma, Mystic MVMT from Bremerton, Bushel & Barrel Ciderhouse from Poulsbo, and others offering raffle prizes, merchandise, and services throughout the night.
Raffles will run during the event, with donated items and experiences designed to encourage participation while increasing fundraising totals. Sponsorship support from area businesses has also helped offset event costs, allowing a greater portion of proceeds to go directly to the Humane Society.
The Pierce County Humane Society plays a critical role in caring for animals who arrive from a wide range of circumstances. Some come in as strays, others through owner surrenders or transfers from overcrowded shelters. Many require immediate medical attention, behavioral support, or long-term care before they are ready for adoption. Animals are always in need of daily necessities such as food, litter, and basic supplies. The Humane Society is also in need of foster families and other avenues to help animals find their forever homes. Sometimes startup costs are harder to secure, which can stall the process. Fundraising events such as this one help sustain those services, particularly as intake numbers continue to rise across the region.
Eisenhower noted that Pierce County has a strong base of residents who support rescue work, whether through adoption, fostering, volunteering, or donations. That culture of involvement has been a driving factor behind the rapid growth of the benefit show. People who attended the Kitsap County event shared the experience with friends and family, helping spread interest organically.
Rather than positioning the benefit as a one-time concert, Eisenhower describes it as a community gathering that blends local music with local impact. The goal is to create an event that feels accessible, something attendees can enjoy while knowing their participation directly supports an organization serving their own county. His hope is to make this a yearly event for both Pierce and Kitsap counties, with each county hosting one benefit concert a year. The response has been overwhelming.
While the event has grown, the intent remains focused. Eisenhower says organizers want attendees to leave feeling entertained and informed, with a clearer sense of how community support translates into real outcomes for animals.
Information about adoption, volunteering, and ongoing support for the Humane Society will be available throughout the night.
As the date approaches, Eisenhower hopes the community will turn out in the same spirit that made the original Kitsap County show a success by showing up, supporting local talent, and contributing to the ongoing work of caring for animals who might otherwise be overlooked.
Artists or vendors who want to donate items to the raffle to help raise funds are encouraged to get involved. It is not too late. Eisenhower can be contacted on Instagram at @theunsundered.
Tickets are on sale now for $35 in advance at SpanishBallroom.com and $43 at the door. It is an all-ages event. Doors open at 6 p.m. on January 3 at the Spanish Ballroom in the Elks Temple, 565 Broadway, Tacoma.
