After five months of planning, the Upper St. Clair-Bethel Park Rotary Breakfast Club conducted its Chicken BBQ fundraiser in October.
The annual event, held at Bethel Park High School, marked 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 club 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 $1 million since we started back in 1989.”
Working with the high school kitchen staff, the club members prep, cook and fire-grill 2,200 chickens, and serve as many coleslaw and baked beans cups, bags of cookies and rolls. Each $15 meal is packed with half a chicken along with sides dishes, then is handed off to customers in a drive-thru at the school’s 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.”
Funds raised from the event are presented 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,” Morrison said. “We truly love this event and how it allows us to support so many charities right here in our community.”
For more information about the club, visit www.Uscbprotary.org.