Festival fallout

Blues, Brews and Barbeque funds
presented to local charities, groups

While thousands of people enjoyed Blues Brews and Barbeque in Westland this year, hundreds more will benefit from the event.
Recently, Mayor William R. Wild presented checks for more than $20,000 to 16 local community organizations, funded by the Blues, Brews and Barbeque festival. To date, the event has generated a total of nearly $250,000 for local charitable organizations during the nine years it has taken place in the community.

The checks were presented to the volunteer organizations during a regular meeting of the members of the city council last month.
“I want to thank all of our volunteers, the participating restaurants, our sponsors and the performers and, of course, the Westland Chamber of Commerce for another remarkable event,” said Wild. “This signature event attracts thousands of people from Westland and surrounding communities, but its only possible because of the help of our amazing civic group volunteers.”
The 16 community organizations received donations from the event include: Friends of the Library, Gateway Family Worship Center, Inspire Theater, Norwayne Community Citizens Council, Norwayne Boxing Club, St. John's Episcopal Church, Westland Civitans, Westland Democratic Club, Westland Fire Fighters Public Awareness Committee, Westland Grange, Westland Area Jaycees, Westland Lions Club, Westland Rotary, Westland Youth Assistance and the Westland Youth Athletic Association. 
The local organizations provided the volunteer manpower at the Blues, Brews and Barbeque festival. Volunteers from the community groups served as greeters, worked as the grounds crew and checked identifications, along with a variety of other roles in an effort to cost effectively operate the annual event, according to officials.
“Being able to give back to the organizations and volunteers in the form of a check is a wonderful feeling because we know that these funds will help the Westland civic groups do great things within the community,” commented Chamber of Commerce CEO Gretchen Heinicke.  “It is my pleasure to work with the volunteers and I appreciate all that they do during the event and within the Westland community.”
Next year, Blues, Brews and BBQ will take place Aug. 7 and 8 in the city.