by Steven Doyle photos by Robert Bostick
Last evening we attended the fundraiser for fallen firefighter, Lt. Shannon Stone at the Dallas Farmers Market. The event attracted over 125 people raising an estimated $10,000 for the family.
The event was the brainchild of Pecan Lodge owners Diane and Justin Fourton and Jill Grobowsky Bergus of Lockhart Smokehouse who were particularly moved by the death of Stone after he fell to his death at a Ranger game July 7, 2011. After hearing the terrible news they called on a few industry friends to create this special evening.
From there the list of people wishing to help flowed freely as organizers met on Facebook to detail duties and seek out donations for supplies and auction items. The outpouring of generosity as the community banded together to make this event successful was inspiring.
Soon after making the announcement the owners of The Grape and Il Cane Rosso jumped in to offer their professional help along with Ain’t No Mo! Butter Cakes.
This event was a first for many to try the new Oh* Brownie which were donated for the group to try. Now 125 people are addicted brownie zombies.
Brian and Courtney Luscher of The Grape were on hand making appetizers for the hungry crowd in the way of fantastic pulled pork sandwiches and house-made sausages. Soon after Pecan Lodge and Lockhart went into action serving up their sliced brisket and chicken with all the trimmings.
Jay Jerrier trucked in his mobile pizza oven and made what will now be considered legendary pizzas with ‘burnt ends’ supplied by the BBQ teams. Jerrier also offered a private catered party for 40 people which fetched a high price, and eventually agreed to give the valued prize to several top bidders at the silent auction.
Through out the evening guests enjoyed the sounds of DJ Bryan C and band The Cliff who both donated their talents.
This morning Diane Fourton called to say that, “each and every person involved, from the volunteers to the donors to the guests, had their heart in the right place. I feel tremendously blessed to be surrounded by people of that caliber.”
I wish we could have been there!