The Independence BrewBQ recently presented a check to our 2019 charity partner, the Otter Creek Animal Shelter, for $10,000. This marks the largest single donation from Independence BrewBQ to a charity partner to date. Funds for the $10,000 donation were made possible by generous event sponsors, sales of bike raffle tickets, sales of Craft Brew Zone passes and beverage purchases at the event.

“We are thrilled that this year’s event allowed us to make a donation of this kind. There were several factors that helped make this year’s event so successful. The sales were great, but the charity partner worked very hard to provide the number of volunteers we need to make the event run smoothly,” said Terry Gaumer, BrewBQ Committee Member.

A donation of $825 will also be made to the Buchanan County Four Seasons Trails Association. The funds for this donation were generated from R.A.S.H. Ride Too registrations.

Independence BrewBQ is now setting our sights on next year’s 15th Annual event and we will be looking for our 2020 charity partner. Do you know an organization in the area that can provide at least 35 volunteers and help us promote the event? Click here for more information.

Mark your calendars to attend the 15th annual Independence BrewBQ on Saturday, August 22, 2020!

The Independence BrewBQ is pleased to announce our partnership with the Otter Creek Animal Shelter for this year’s event on Saturday, August 24 at Riverwalk Parks.

“The proceeds from this year’s event will benefit the shelter’s medical care and supplies. This includes spay/neuter, senior animal care, dental work, minor medical procedures, vaccines, feline leukemia testing, rabies shots and more. We truly are excited for and appreciate this great opportunity that the Independence BrewBQ is providing us,” said Ronda Reid, Otter Creek Animal Shelter Board president.

The Otter Creek Animal Shelter (formerly the Buchanan County Animal Shelter) was formed by a group of dedicated volunteers who professionally and passionately were concerned about what to do with pets in need.  Their initial goal was to build a no-kill animal shelter to take in pets who had owners that were no longer able or willing to care for them in Buchanan County. They also needed a place for residents to take animals who had been abandoned by the owners in rural areas.

The shelter became a 501(c)-3 on April 22, 2011 (DBA Buchanan County Animal Shelter) and the project took off with the donation of 10 acres of land that same year. The shelter opened its doors on August, 19 2018 and is located at 400 North Main Street in Hazleton, Iowa on Hwy 150.

Click here to visit the Otter Creek Animal Shelter website.

Click here to follow them on Facebook.

The Independence BrewBQ is pleased to announce our donation of $7,500 to our 2018 charity partner, the Independence Fire Department.

“We rely on volunteers and our charity partner every year in order to make the Independence BrewBQ run smoothly so everyone has a great time,” stated BrewBQ board member Pete Gaumer. “We are very thankful for the support and dedication of the department not only to our event, but the work they do every day for our community.”

Mike Klendsworth (bike winner) and Blake Hayward (Independence Fire Department) with the bike prize and some brews from The Sanity Room in Independence.

This year’s BrewBQ also featured a Bike Raffle with all raffle ticket sales benefiting the Fire Department. We would like to congratulate, Miles Klendsworth, the winner of the bike!

We are very lucky to be part of a community and surrounding area that embraces celebrations like the Independence BrewBQ. Make sure to save the date for the 14th Annual Independence BrewBQ on Saturday, August 24, 2019!

*Thank you to the Independence Bulletin Journal for sharing the large group photo of our check presentation.