Submitted article

Event chairman Bill Denton announced that the BBQ concert on the Woodlawn Campus June 6 was big success and exceeded the event committee’s original optimistic projections with the help of many individuals and business in Bucyrus and surrounding areas.

Due to the generosity of these businesses and individuals, expenses for publicity, most food and drink items, tent rental and set up, entertainment and transportation, electrical services and Bratwurst Festival Stage were either completely eliminated or drastically reduced. This resulted in over 86 percent of all ticket sales and contributions for this event going to the Alpha 12 Recovery Program. The was a check for the program in the amount of $7,004.

Bill Denton pointed out that the BBQ/Concert this was really a “community coming together event” that would not have been possible without the help of many individuals and organizations. The Telegraph-Forum, WBCO-WQEL and A-1 Printing were singled out for their support in helping to get to this signature event over 700 concerned citizens working together for the common cause of reducing drug and alcohol addiction in our county…while having a great time too.

Bill Denton also gave special thanks to the many area churches that helped to promote this benefit by encouraging their members to attend. Just “rounding up” enough tables and chairs was a monumental task made possible through the help and cooperation of the Col. Crawford High School, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of North Robinson, Crawford County Fair Board, Bucyrus Freewill Baptist Church, Ryder Bronze and many individuals who were not even members of Woodlawn UMC.

Thanks also to the Bratwurst Festival for transporting and set up of their stage and Ohio Mutual Insurance Group for extensive electrical support and overflow parking needs.

Special Thanks was given to the Dover City Board of Education & (former Bucyrus native) Superintendent Bob Hamm and Dover High School Steel Drum Band director Joan Wenzel for sharing the distinctive sound of their 30-plus piece steel drum band. Their performance included an impressive repertoire spanning the genres of rock and roll, reggae and do-wop as well as so-ca and calypso standards of the Caribbean Islands. The audience repeatedly responded enthusiastically to their signature songs which included: “The Lyon Sleeps Tonight”, “Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You” and “Amazing Grace” with a distinctive Trinidad setting and sound. It was a beautiful summer evening and all in attendance enjoyed their distinctive sound.

Also contributing their talents to the evening’s musical memories was Bucyrus & Crawford County’s own men’s musical ambassadors, United In Harmony, performing a mix of patriotic numbers, Broadway Show Tunes, Spiritual and light rock or do-wop.

All proceeds from this BBQ fundraiser & concert will used by the Alpha 12 Step Recovery Program which is a non-denominational Christian based program working to successfully reintegrate individuals recovering from addiction into a new life of honesty and stability through a new faith in Jesus Christ and thus diverting them from a life of defeat and hopelessness.

Additional information is available about at Alpha 12 Step Recovery’s website: www.alpha12step.com or by contacting Alpha representative Margie Maddox at 419 689-1412.

Denton extended Thanks to the entire community for supporting a “night to truly remember”.