Rounding up the best local chefs and restaurants, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Augusta Headquarters fundraised outdoors on Monday, Oct. 16, with a savory Burger Battle.
To support ongoing efforts in schools, competitors prepared their own specialty burgers from 5:30 to 8 p.m. and attendees sampled each before casting their vote for the annual burger champion.
Initially created in the 1950s, the Boys & Girls Clubs are dedicated to providing a safe place to go after school and during the summer in order to ensure youth empowerment, community and growth.
“We teach lifestyle and leadership skills. Education is our number one priority; everything we do is based upon providing a strong foundation,” said Tanya Kitchens, the annual events and campaign manager for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Augusta. “We teach them hygiene and coping skills – anything they need to be equipped and realize their full potential.”
Hosted by the organization’s Young Professionals Board, the Burger Battle provides hundreds with the opportunity to enjoy other members of the community while listening to live music and tasting delicious burger recipes with friends.
“I think the important thing about today’s competition is the fact that it’s a community event, so it’s an opportunity for everyone to come together here and support a common mission,” said Kitchens. “Everyone here understands that we put the kids first and that it requires funds, so we’re here to try and provide the kids more programming and opportunities.”
For $100 per ticket, hundreds of Augustans supported the organization by judging 12 various gourmet burgers and were also served wine, beer and non-alcoholic drinks. All profits from the event were utilized to maintain and even help start new initiatives for the numerous Boys & Girls Clubs across the Augusta area.
“It’s also an opportunity for all of us to get to know each other, because we have a lot of commonalities and that brings us all close,” said Kitchens.
Hoping to win the golden award belt, the competition featured burgers from a multitude of corporate sponsors, including: Abel Brown, Cucina 503, Doc’s Porchside, Edgar’s Grille, Finch & Fifth, Manny’s Sports Off Broad, Midtown Tavern, Recteq and Wifesaver.
“We always jump at the opportunity of reaching out to be a positive influence within the community, and anytime the Boys & Girls Club asks us to do anything it’s an automatic yes,” said Jody Flannigan, brand advocacy manager for Recteq. “It takes all of us to make the world go round … so it just makes sense for businesses to advocate for a better community.”
For attendee and father of two, Josh Keck, participating in the burger competition allowed his family to support “a fantastic organization,” that his sons might one day benefit from in the near future.
“I’m happy to support it,” he said. “They do a lot with the elementary schools, especially for the kids who don’t have a safe place to go in the afternoons – it gives them a place to go.”
Heavily involved with Child Enrichment Inc. as a development director, another nonprofit that targets helping families and children, Maureen McManus said she strongly believes in championing fellow charitable services to raise awareness for community needs.
“I feel like a rising tide lifts all ships, so I want to support all the local organizations that are doing wonderful work,” she said. “I think children are the future and they are where change in our community starts. It’s more difficult to heal broken adults … I think kids are definitely where it starts if you want to build strong communities.”
With many parents working full time jobs or struggling to afford childcare, said organizations, such as the Boys & Girls Clubs, not only provides children with a healthy learning environment for emotional and intellectual enrichment, but also protects children from harmful internet threats or even gang recruitment.
“I think kids left to their own devices can not always make the best decisions and we all need somewhere to belong, which I think is one of the great things about the Boys & Girls Clubs – they give that to them,” she said. “For parents, I think the childcare element is huge, because you don’t want to leave your kid sitting at home and not knowing what they’re doing, potentially getting in trouble on the internet.”
Despite the oncoming chilly wind, the competition cultivated a warm and welcoming environment with adults chowing down on burgers, fries, cocktails and wine together, as children happily made s’mores, decorated Halloween cookies and giggled while jumping on blowup inflatables.
To donate or find out more about the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Augusta, please visit: https://bgcgreateraugusta.org/
