Willy Porter benefit concert close to his heart

It might be an understatement to say Mequon native Willy Porter is dedicated to Advocates of Ozaukee.

Porter is staging his 18th annual concert to benefit Advocates at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13. This year’s event will be online instead of in-person, but that doesn’t faze him.

Instead, he sees it as an opportunity to bring Advocates’ mission to people far beyond Ozaukee County and open their eyes to the impact of domestic abuse.

“By taking it beyond where we live, (the audience) might learn about it and consider it where they live,” he said of the audience.”

Porter said it was important the concert go on, especially during the pandemic. Stress has taken a toll on the community, and the number of people Advocates serves is increasing.

“The need for it still exists,” Porter said. “And they are such an inspiring group of people.”

Porter has always had a desire to give back. He had been playing an annual benefit concert for the Humane Society until a friend pointed out the need for the services Advocates provides.

What Advocates does is important, he said.

“I feel I had every advantage growing up,” Porter said. “I’ve come to know a lot of people who came from very different situations. And our community is only as strong as the people who are least represented in it.”

In addition to raising money, the concerts also help raise awareness of domestic abuse and the need for organizations such as Advocates, he said.

“Every year, I realize what a hard subject it is for people to talk about,” Porter said. “The more we discuss it, the more we can identify it and help people trying to get away from it.”

Advocates Executive Director Barb Fischer agreed that the concert’s importance is twofold.

“This is a chance for us to let a whole lot of people who don’t know we exist that we’re here,” she said.

That’s not to understate the importance of the money the benefit brings to the agency.

Porter’s concert is Advocates’ only fundraiser of the year and typically brings in $12,000 to $15,000, Fischer said.

 “We know that’s not going to happen this year,” she said. “We scaled back some things in this year’s budget, not knowing what’s going to happen.”

The money raised through the annual concert “goes to all those basic things it’s hard to get funding for elsewhere,” Fischer said, things like rent assistance, boarding of victim’s pets and other items.

Throughout the concert, a banner will scroll on the bottom of the screen telling viewers how they can contribute to Advocates.

Fischer said she’s excited for the concert.

“It’s going to be pretty amazing, even if people can’t be there in person,” she said.

And, in some ways, the impact may live beyond the one performance, Porter said.

“The fun thing is the video will last after that day,” he said. “People can visit it later if they want.”

The concert can be viewed on Facebook Live.

For more information, visit advocatesofozaukee.com.