FLAGLER BEACH, Fla. – Tom Snow, head pitmaster for the Parrothead Porkers, wanted to do something to help out his local fire and police, so he rallied the team, loaded up pounds of their award-winning barbecue, called in the reinforcements, and put the word out.
Flocking to the Flagler Beach fire house on Saturday, for $13 it was a hot and tasty lunch for a good cause.
“I do competition barbecue as a hobby. I live near the Woman’s Club and they said this is a great thing to do so let’s do it,” shared Snow, who also volunteers with Operation Barbecue Relief, a relief organization providing hot meal during a natural disaster.
Snow brought 90 pounds of meat which equals about 360 plates of food he said. Pitching in, the Flagler Woman’s Club provided the sides and there was plenty to go around.
Flagler Beach Deputy Fire Chief Stephen Cox welcomed the opportunity to meet hungry residents and thank them for their support.
“We’re extremely excited to have the Woman’s Club. We love the Woman’s Club, they’re such a huge supporter of not just the fire department but within the community. I think what they’ve done today is for an amazing cause and we’re very grateful for that,” said Cox.
The savory scent of barbecue permeated the fire house, turning the place into a warm and cozy lunch room.
“Today’s fundraiser is celebrating the men and women of both the Flagler Beach Fire Department and Police Department. All the net proceeds go to them,” said Flagler Woman’s Club 2nd Vice President Mary Louk.
“One of his clients furnished all the meat and the women of the Woman’s Club made all the sides, so it’s really a great event.”
It was a busy day for the Flagler Woman’s Club who laid one of their own to rest earlier that morning.
“Mary Bowe was a lifetime member for over 25 years. She was known for her hats. Everyone called her Miss Mary, I called her Miss Dizzy,” teased Flagler Woman’s Club President Barbara Macready.
“She was 96, so up until the month before she passed away, she was still a greeter. She still came to the meetings and was a greeter. She’s just never stopped. I lived to torture her and she lived to give it right back. She just was an incredible, incredible, gracious woman, and it showed at her funeral today.”
