GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (May 25, 2017) – Nearly 1,700 West Michiganders “pigged out” on barbecue, sampled craft whiskey cocktails and rocked out to live music while raising $256,098 during Hospice of Michigan’s 2nd annual Barley, BBQ & Beats held on May 20 at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids.
Proceeds from the event will support the nonprofit’s Open Access program which ensures hospice and palliative care to those who will need it, regardless of their ability to pay.
WBBL-FM morning host, Eric Zane, emceed the evening’s program, which included a special toast led by Mike Damstra, president of Barley, BBQ & Beats’ presenting sponsor, Carelinc Home Medical Equipment & Supply. The tribute honored those who have passed away while celebrating the impact they left on those who attended the fundraising event.
Friendly competition took place immediately outside the arena. Corn Hole, Strategy Drop and Towering Timbers were among the lawn games event goers tested their skills. Inside the arena, the crowd was entertained by local bands, Fast Hands Blues Band, Mid-Life Crisis and Vox Vidorra.
The fundraising event’s centerpiece was taste testing dishes from West Michigan’s finest barbecue pit masters and restaurants, and Michigan-made whiskey cocktails from local and regional distilleries including:
- American Char
- American Fifth Spirits
- Bier Distillery
- Daddy Pete’s BBQ
- Dallas Deli
- Detroit City Distillery
- Grand Traverse Distillery
- Gray Skies Distillery
- Jax Smoke n Sandwich
- Jonny B’z
- Journeyman Distillery
- Long Road Distillery
- Main Street BBQ
- Piggies BBQ
- New Holland Brewing Company
- Red Cedar Spirits
- Saladino Smoke
- Slow’s Bar B Q
- The Grilling Company
- Two James Distillery
- Two Scotts Barbecue
“Thanks to the hard work of our steering and underwriting committees, along with the sponsors, donors and vendors, Barley, BBQ & Beats was a great success for the second consecutive year,” said Marcie Hillary, vice president of community relations, Hospice of Michigan. “This event not only is a significant fundraiser that provides end-of-life care, but also celebrates life, which is what our team does every day with our patients and their families.”
In addition to the presenting sponsor, CareLinc Home Medical Equipment & Supply, other event sponsors included Betz Industries, HansenBalk Steel Treating Company, Meijer and the John Clay Memorial BBQ.
For more information about Hospice of Michigan, or to make a donation, please visit www.hom.org or call 888.247.5701.
About Hospice of Michigan
A nationally recognized leader in end-of-life care, Hospice of Michigan is the original – and largest – hospice in the state. The nonprofit cares for nearly 1,800 patients each day, raising more than $5 million each year to cover the cost of care for the uninsured and underinsured. HOM offers a broad range of services to enhance the quality of life at the end of life, including community-based palliative care and pediatric care programs. HOM provides grief support and counseling, caregiver education and support, and education programs for physicians and health care professionals through its research, training and education arm, the Hospice of Michigan Institute. In January 2016, HOM joined forces with Arbor Hospice and Palliative Care, strengthening the mission of nonprofit hospice in Michigan to ensure patients and their caregivers receive the highest quality of care. For more information, call 888.247.5701 or visit www.hom.org.