Actor’s Haiti Relief Charity Gets a Fund-Raising Boost From a Popular Musician

Four months after the Haiti earthquake, charities working on relief efforts continue to raise money, and some of them may well get some extra attention from musicians on tour this summer.

For instance, at a concert outside of Washington last night, Eddie Vedder, the lead singer of Pearl Jam, told crowd about the work of Sean Penn’s group, J/P Haitian Relief Organization. Mr. Vedder told his fans that he needs “a favor” from them and asked concert-goers to visit the Web site of Mr. Penn’s charity and make a gift.

Mr. Vedder then delivered a stirring rendition, complete with full crowd sing-along, of one of Pearl Jam’s oldest and most beloved songs. Mr. Vedder said he wasn’t dedicating all the song’s lyrics to Mr. Penn because it is is about an abusive relationship, but he did say the title described the actor aptly: “Better Man.”