Holy Smokes BBQ Festival Raises $90k to Support Critical Repairs at the Ronald McDonald House

Press Release

Aaron Siegel of Home Team BBQ and Anthony DiBernardo of Swig & Swine, two of the Holy Smokes BBQ Festival founders, were able to see their donation dollars hard at work this summer as renovations began at the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Charleston. Through Rock the Block, the 501c3 organization Holy Smokes BBQ Festival operates under, a donation of $90,000 was made to the RMHC Charleston and another $90,000 to Hogs for the Cause.

These two non-profit organizations raise funds to support families with children battling critical illnesses. RMHC Charleston provides a comfortable place to stay and compassionate programs for families going through the most challenging time of their lives. Located across the street from the MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital, RMHC Charleston provides families the best chance of success in caring for their child with complex medical needs by keeping the family nearby.

Bathroom remodeling and repairs were first on the list for the RMHC Charleston after receiving the donation from Holy Smokes BBQ Festival, with a priority to update showers to be more accessible for families. “For our families, being able to take hot showers in beautifully renovated bathrooms is a small luxury. Thanks to our friends at Holy Smokes, we now have eight completely redone showers!” stated Alix Tew, Director of Development at RMHC Charleston.

The founders and organizers behind Holy Smokes BBQ Festival are thrilled to see the festival proceeds making a difference for local charities. “We work so hard leading up to Holy Smokes each year, event day finally comes and we have an amazing time but then we all go home after. To be able to visit the Ronald McDonald House, see exactly where the money we raise is being used, and know that we are helping make a family’s tough situation just a little bit better, means more than I can put into words.” said Anthony DiBernardo. Together, Siegel (Home Team BBQ) and DiBernardo (Swig & Swine) are dedicated to giving back to families in the Charleston community through annual events like Holy Smokes BBQ Festival and Rock the Block.

Holy Smokes BBQ Festival will be returning for its third annual event on Saturday, November 11th at Riverfront Park. Over 50 of the country’s most renowned pitmasters and chefs will be gathering once again in North Charleston to celebrate the culture, history, and traditions of American barbecue. A ticket to Holy Smokes gives you all-you-can-eat access to four barbecue villages: Texas, Traditional, New School and Coastal. This year’s event will feature many of our legendary returning pitmasters, like Rodney Scott, Chris Lilly, Pat Martin and Jonathan & Justin Fox, who have cooked year after year, as well as some exciting new faces, including Amy Mills, Hector Garate, Michael Hudman, Andy Ticer and Tuffy Stone. To purchase tickets and for more information on the full culinary lineup, head to holysmokeschs.com.

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