The smell of charcoal in the air. Laughter echoing through parking lots. Cheerful employees dancing around in an inflatable chicken suit. That’s how you know barbecue season has officially hit Aspire of WNY!
With smoky grills working overtime and volunteers moving at full speed, guests were treated to delicious meals for an even better cause! Thanks to our friends at Weidner’s BBQ & Catering, hundreds of meals were served across two separate agency locations, and the community walked away with full stomachs and fingers dusted in smoky seasoning.
To reach folks across Western New York, we held one sale at our Center for Learning in Erie County and another at our Mall Blvd. Day Hab in Lakewood. Families, friends, and BBQ lovers alike eagerly lined up in their cars, ready to dig into trays piled high with half-chickens, baked beans, creamy potato salad, and soft buttered rolls. The scent alone was enough to make their car rides home feel like a countdown to dinner, and left many asking themselves, “How am I supposed to wait a whole year for the next one?!”
Volunteers worked assembly-line style, packing up meals with care and adding a serving of smiles to every tray. Some guests even hopped out of their cars to join in on the fun of a basket raffle, tossing in tickets for a chance to win prizes like Buffalo Bisons tickets, Maid of the Mist passes, happy hour baskets, and more. The raffle was made possible by our generous community partners, local businesses, and dedicated agency staff who donated!
All proceeds from the BBQ events directly benefit Aspire of WNY’s Helping Hands Program, which provides emergency and supplemental funding for individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities across Western New York, helping to meet needs that individuals and their families might otherwise be unable to afford.
“The Helping Hands Chicken BBQ Fundraiser is one of our favorite events of the year! As one of the first BBQs of the season, it brings together our community in a special way,” shares Tracy Flagella, Intake and Outreach Coordinator at Aspire of WNY. “We’re always amazed by the incredible support we receive year after year—thank you for showing up, supporting our cause, and making a difference in the lives of the folks that we support.”
Thank you to everyone who made this year’s chicken BBQ a success! Whether you came for the chicken, the raffle, or just to join in on the fun, your support allows Aspire of WNY’s Helping Hands Program to continue to meet urgent needs for people with Intellectual and Developmental disabilities across the greater WNY community! We’re so thankful to everyone who took part, and we’re already counting down the days until next year’s BBQ!
