Jason Tyler, right, pours sauce onto the barbecue pork, while his father Jet, left, stirs it up at the Red Bank Community Center on Labor Day.As more than 150 million Americans enjoyed a Labor Day without work, a tight-knit community of Red Bank barbecue enthusiasts held true on their dedication to assisting schools.
For the last 16 years, Red Bank Masonic Lodge members Jet Tyler and Jack Workman have helped out the special needs department at Red Bank Elementary with a Labor Day barbecue. The proceeds help teachers afford needed school supplies, one $8 plate at a time.
With more than 1,000 pounds of barbecue given out at the Red Bank Community Center, funding anything from drawing utensils to sturdy furniture is a possibility.
“We ask teachers for a wish list,” Tyler said. “If we can buy everything, we’ll buy everything. If we can’t, we’ll give what we can.”
By the time the grill is completely clean, Workman said, the Masonic fundraiser brings in $600 to $700 every year. The duo previously has reached out to other assistance groups such as the Tri-State Resource & Advocacy Corporation, which provides translation devices for those with hearing disabilities.