Battle of the Barbecue hosts record breaking fundraiser

Jacob Musselman, The Lebanon Reporter, Ind.
·4 min read

Aug. 15—On Saturday, the Boone County Cancer Society (BCCS) raised around $89,000 at its 15th annual Battle of the Barbecue.

Cooking competitors arrived as early at 7 a.m. to get started smoking their pork loins donated by 7M's Lebanon IGA.

By the time hungry attendees started lining up, barbecue smoke filled the south end of Memorial Park. Although there was no official headcount of attendees, there was an estimated 2,000 to 2,500 people that came out to support BCCS.

"This was a record year for everything," BCCS Executive Director Joy Kaylor said.

Kaylor said every year she's been a part of organizing of the event, she's always nervous the day leading up to it.

"I'm always sitting there at 4:30 and I'm wondering, what if no one comes this year," Kaylor said. "And this year, at 3:45, people were lining up to get in."

She said there are no words to describe how grateful she is for the community's support.

"It's mind blowing the amount of support the cancer society receives from people everywhere," Kaylor said. "I have volunteers returning for their 15th year to help at the barbecue so the amount of gratitude we have is overwhelming."

Kaylor said the entire event is planned by herself, Erin Huse and Kathy Flannery, with help from all of their volunteers. The money raised goes to local residents to help with their fight against cancer.

"Every single cent stays local," Kaylor said. "I don't receive any funding from the American Cancer Society or any federal grants or anything. We are locally funded, off of fundraising and donations. It's mind blowing. It's really mind blowing."

While some were focused on the BBQ portion of the event, others took part in the second annual You're Not Alone (YNA) 5K walk/run, also at Memorial Park.

YNA works alongside BCCS in making local residents' fight against cancer a bit easier by providing them with care packages as they go through treatment. Fundraising is also important for them as the care packages they distribute are funded by donations.

"I felt like it was a success," BCCS Board Member and Founder of You're Not Alone Diane Beltran said. "We had a lot of good feedback on it. We had people from Terre Haute, Speedway, Crawfordsville and Westfield. This year, we paid a company to have bibs with chips in them so serious runners can get their actual times. I think that drew in a different crowd, but we had a huge turnout."

The run raised about $13,000 to go toward the care packages they give to recipients at Witham. Care packages include about 15 items including blankets, a journal, a word search puzzle, a protein drink, chapstick, lotion, Kleenex and other items that help people going through treatment be more comfortable.

A survivor recognition walk was something new they tried this year, honoring around 25 cancer survivors with a sash as they walk down a path with people on either side cheering them on, celebrating their success.

Beltran said she also invited Nurse Navigator Erin Buckles from Witham Hospital to give the runners in attendance an overview of how patients feel when they receive the care packages.

"It was very heartfelt and I think it gave people an idea of where their money is going and made it more special that she could say how touched the people are when they get these care packages," Beltran said.

The Battle of the Barbecue also held multiple cooking category contests and raffled off a golf cart. The sweet category winner was Split Ends, and runner up was Edward Realty Group. The best rub winner was Up In Smoke and the runner up was Ray's Trash. The winners of the best brisket category were Lawson Farms in first place with New Hope Christian Church as the runner up.

Brick House Barbecue took home the People's Choice award and Up in Smoke was awarded Best Decorated.

Trista Gubera was the winner of the golf cart raffle.

The Zionsville Moms Against Cancer/Lady Eagles Volleyball raised the most money, giving them the title of best fundraiser. The group raised $2,110 and was also selected as the overall winner of the day.

For more information about BCCS and YNA, visit their Facebook pages @realboonecountycancersociety and @yourenotalone.leb and also BCCS's website boonecountycancersociety.org.