Fundraiser brings in $20,000 for Family Initiative
The annual City Tavern Fourth of July Block Party and Chili Dog Eating Contest raised more than $20,000 for Family Initiative, which will help roll out a new early intervention program this fall for the nonprofit organization.
“This year, we raised money for Family Initiative, a local nonprofit near and dear to our hearts that helps hundreds of families in our autism community. We are proud to be able to give back to a community that has given us so much,” City Tavern owner Kevin Offerman said.
Family Initiative Co-founder and President David Brown said the donation was unbelievable and left the whole team pretty surprised and blown away by the contribution. He said the Offermans are an awesome family in the community.
“The whole event, the atmosphere was incredibly fun,” Brown said. There were “a lot of folks that came out and supported City Tavern and Family Initiative that recognize the impact of the ever-increasing prevalence of autism and the need of help for families.”
Hundreds of individuals attended the free downtown event, which featured live entertainment by DJ Juan Gomez and DJ Mickey McFly, games, food prepared by celebrity chef Brian Duffy and a chili dog eating contest. Sponsorships, donations, and chili dog contestant pledges contributed to the fundraising total.
Brown said the contestants had to eat as many chili cheese dogs as they could in 15 minutes.
“To watch that was pretty crazy. All the folks that were in the contest ate their hearts out,” he said, adding that the winner ate 11-1/2 chili cheese dogs. “It was a really cool tradition that Kevin started.”
The Family Initiative team was also in attendance, as they brought their mobile sensory 20-foot trailer. Brown said to ensure their families can participate in events, they bring the trailer to events happening across the region.
“The trailer acts as a mobile sensory room. It is the coolest thing you have ever seen. It was awesome to have the trailer downtown,” he said.
The money raised from the event will go towards a new early intervention program that is anticipated to roll out in the fall. Brown said it is important to identify and diagnose children on the spectrum at a younger age because early intervention is everything. With early diagnosis, services can be offered sooner.
“These dollars are super important to us. It is unbelievable the technology and research that exists,” Brown said. “That is going to be a lot of focus this year — early intervention to provide more of that support for young children.”
He said the demand for everything they do is unbelievable, as well as the pace of parents calling every day.
“Our team is honored to work super hard day and night to build innovative and supportive programs,” Brown said. “I am grateful for all the support we have from all corners of the community. We need it because families need the help. We will keep chasing after what they need and build it.”
Family Initiative, which was founded in 2015, is a nonprofit organization that supports children with autism, as well as strengthening their families. The organization has a team of clinicians that serve children through a compassionate, personalized approach using both Applied Behavior Analysis and Occupational Therapy. Autism playgrounds, teen meetups, parent education, community conversations, and training and support for child welfare caregivers through its Family Impact Program are also offered.
More information, follow Family Initiative on Facebook and Instagram, or on X (formerly Twitter).