After 5 months of planning, the Upper St. Clair-Bethel Park Rotary, Breakfast club concluded its Chicken BBQ fundraiser this past October.The annual event, held at Bethel Park high school, is now in its 35th year and continues to be the largest fundraiser the club hosts. “This year we are poised to raise more than ever,” said Sally Morrison, BBQ Co-chair and board member. “While we are still waiting for this year’s final numbers to come in from sponsorships and tickets sales, we are estimating a new record-high of over $80,000 and a collective $1M since we started back in 1989!”
Working with the Bethel Park kitchen staff, the club members prep, cook and fire-grill 2,200 chickens, scoop as many coleslaw and baked beans cups, bag cookies, and rolls. Each $15 meal is packed with ½ chicken along with sides dishes, then is handed off to customers in a super-efficient drive through at the schools’ front entrance.
“It’s an event where the whole community comes together and rolls up their sleeves”, said Teresa Kozluechar, BBQ co-chair.“We had volunteers from the Bethel Park and Upper St. Clair high school Interact Clubs, as well as Boy Scouts and members of the Montour Trail Council to name a few. “And we really couldn’t pull off this event without them”, said Kozluechar.
Funds raised from the event are given away to local charities each April during the club’s Night of Giving celebration. “Well over 50 grant applications will be reviewed, and voted on, by the board. “We truly love this event and how it allows us to support so many charities right here in our community”, said Morrison.
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