Bikes, Blues & BBQ distributes $80,000 to local charities

You might have noticed a motorcycle or two (zillion) rolling around Fayetteville back in late September/early October. As a result of those motorcycles and their riders, Bikes, Blues & BBQ was able to distribute about $80,000 to 21 local charities.

The Bikes, Blues & BBQ board of directors handed out checks ranging from $500 to $10,000 at a reception held at the Fayetteville Town Center on Monday night. The organization also recognized several of the core volunteers that help with the event.

The Fayetteville Boys & Girls Club and EOA Meals on Wheels program received the largest checks, with both organizations receiving $10,000 this year.

“This night is what Bikes, Blues & BBQ is all about,” said event director Nelson Driver. “We’ve had a great year, we think it was our biggest yet, and we couldn’t have done it without our volunteers.”

Driver, who is retiring after leading the event for the past six years, also recognized several local groups who were able to raise an additional $60,000 during the rally at booth space donated by Bikes, Blues & BBQ. The Washington County Fairboard, the Fayetteville Fire Fighters, and the Fraternal Order of Police are a few groups Driver mentioned.

Bikes, Blues & BBQ raises funds for charity each year through sponsorships, vendor space, merchandise sales, and beer garden sales during the four-day event. The $80,000 donated this year is up from the $48,500 the organization distributed in 2009. Since its inception, Bikes, Blues & BBQ has donated more than $625,000 to local charities.

Here’s the list of the charities that received donations this year, and the amounts they received.