IF YOU GOWhat: Brainerd Kiwanis Club barbecue.When: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. today and Saturday.Where: Tennessee Baptist Children’s Home, 6623 Lee Highway.Cost: $7.Phone: 698-5457 or 309-2485.Website: www.brainerdkiwanis.com.
The 65th annual benefit barbecue sponsored by the Brainerd Kiwanis Club will open at noon today on the grounds of the Tennessee Baptist Children’s Home, 6623 Lee Highway.
Despite having their equipment stolen and their former site vandalized less than two months before their biggest fundraiser of the year, the Kiwanians have rallied to see the tradition is upheld.
“We’ve made pretty good strides,” said Kiwanian Bob Segrest. “We had to buy some new equipment, we rented a refrigerated truck and the Children’s Home has a number of things we’re able to use. We haven’t made a full recovery, but we’ve done enough to be able to make it this year.”
Kiwanis president JoBeth Kavanaugh said more than 2,000 pounds of barbecued meat is being prepared by Sticky Fingers. Customers have the option of buying either a $7 plate, which comes with an ample portion of barbecue beef or pork, bun, slaw, beans and sauce, or exchanging the ticket for a 10-ounce package of beef or pork.
Segrest said that $5 of every $7 ticket sold supports children and youth nonprofits. “This year we have given grants to 17 agencies that deal with children and young people,” Segrest said of the Brainerd club. He said the club also made a large donation to Kiwanis International’s program to eliminate tetanus in Third World countries and gave a grant to the Key Club at Boyd-Buchanan High School.
Barbecue tickets may be bought at the barbecue as guests turn off Lee Highway onto the grounds of the Children’s Home. An easy drive-through route will circle drivers back to Lee Highway to exit the site.