December 21, 2024
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Stone Jug BBQ steak fry raises $8,600 for Horizon House

The funds will be used to offset transportation costs

By Maribeth M. Wilson
Stone Jug BBQ Stake Fry raises $8,500 for Horizon House Stone Jug BBQ donated 8,600 for Horizon House on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023 at Stone Jug BBQ in Peru. Gathered at the check passing were (from left) Matt Becker, Stone Jug BBQ owner; Bishop Stiles, Michelle Rich Horizon House CEO and Dave Lynch Horizon House employee. Donations were made through the Stake Fry Fundraiser to benefit Horizon House of the Illinois Valley that was held on Sunday Aug. 27, 2023 at Stone Jug BBQ in Peru. Attendees received a ribeye stake, baked potato, homemade coleslaw and bread and butter. In addition, ticket buyers were entered into a drawing to win a 4-burner outdoor Blackstone Grill valued at $499 donated by Debo Ace Hardware in Peru. Horizon House CEO Michelle Rich stated "Matt Becker and his crew know how to host a great party!" "A total of 8,600 that was raised will be used to offset our transportation costs." Horizon House has a fleet of twenty-two vehicles that provide transportation for employment, community access, recreation, shopping, medical appointments and more. "The proceeds from the Stake Fry will help cover maintenance and fuel costs to keep all of our vehicles in good shape and on the road. Reliable transportation is essential to our mission of discovering, empowering and supporting opportunities for people with disabilities to achieve their hopes and desires in the community. Grill master Scott Petzel served 330 stakes. A 50/50 raffle generated a total of $1,782.00 with $891 going to Brittany Pierski, the lucky winner. The 4-Burner Blackstone Grill went to Neal Hodges and Kenny Mudge won a Weber Genesis II E315 3-Burner Propane Grill donated by Ace Distribution Center in Princeton. Matt Becker, owner of Stone Jug BBQ stated "perfect weather, great food, a generous community, fun music and a wonderful cause was the perfect combination to make this a successful event. "We were happy to host this for Horizon House. It is a great organization that we are lucky to have in our community. We utilized their Community Employment Program to hire someone to work here two years ago and it has been a great addition to our team" said Becker. Horizon House is a non-profit organization that provides services and support to people with disabilities and their families. They listen to the people they support, they learn from them and they let their needs and wants guide their services.

Stone Jug BBQ donated $8,600 for Horizon House on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023 in Peru. Gathered at the check passing were (from left) Matt Becker, Stone Jug BBQ owner; Bishop Stiles, Michelle Rich Horizon House CEO and Dave Lynch Horizon House employee. (Scott Anderson)

Horizon House received a boost Thursday in the form of a $8,600 donation to help cover maintenance and fuel costs.

The donation came from Stone Jug BBQ in Peru and was presented by owner Matt Becker with Bishop Stiles, Horizon House CEO Michelle Rich and Horizon House employee Dave Lynch in attendance.

Horizon House is a nonprofit organization that provides services and support to people with disabilities and their families. They listen to the people they support, learn from them, and let their needs and wants guide their services.

Donations were made through a Steak Fry Fundraiser to benefit Horizon House that has held Sunday at Stone Jug BBQ, 1920 Fourth St. in Peru. Attendees received a ribeye steak, baked potato, homemade coleslaw and bread.

In a news release, Becker said that the weather, food, generous community, music and cause all came together to curate a successful event.

“We were happy to host this for Horizon House,” Becker said. “It is a great organization that we are lucky to have in our community. We utilized their Community Employment Program to hire someone to work here two years ago, and it has been a great addition to our team.”

Rich said the money would be used to offset transportation costs. Horizon House has a fleet of 22 vehicles that provide transportation for employment, community access, recreation, shopping and medical appointments.

“The proceeds from the steak fry will help cover maintenance and fuel costs to keep all of our vehicles in good shape and on the road,” Rich said. “Reliable transportation is essential to our mission of discovering, empowering and supporting opportunities for people with disabilities to achieve their hopes and desires in the community.”

During the event, grill master Scott Petzel served 330 steaks. The 50/50 raffle generated a total of $1,782, with $891 going to Brittany Pierski, the lucky winner.

A four-burner outdoor Blackstone grill valued at $499 was donated by Debo Ace Hardware in Peru and went to Neal Hodges. Kenny Mudge won a Weber Genesis II E315 three-burner propane grill donated by Ace Distribution Center in Princeton.

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