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Blue Jeans and Barbecue to help 305 8th Street
Blue Jeans and Barbecue on Sept. 25 will benefit 305 8th Street. The photograph shows Rainbow Elementary School’s project to encircle 305 8th Street’s building with artwork. CONTRIBUTED
HUNTSVILLE – The 305 8th Street nonprofit organization is finalizing details for its fourth annual Blue Jeans and Barbecue fundraiser.
The event venue will be the Roundhouse in the historic Huntsville Depot, 320 Church St. NW. The fundraiser on Sept. 25 will open at 11:30 a.m. and close at 2:30 p.m.
LawLer’s Barbecue will provide lunch. Guests will enjoy entertainment from Milltowne Band, Junior League’s Rainbow Band and Music by Mike. Blue Jeans and Barbecue also will offer a silent auction, vendors’ booths and fun-filled activities for children.
The 305 8th Street organization provides support and services for mentally disabled adults who are ineligible for state-sanctioned assistance.
“Our mission is to provide a home and opportunities for our residents to enable them to be productive members of our community. They depend on the community for assistance in this endeavor,” executive director Andrea Williams said.
Williams’ grandparents, Inez and Gordan Bastin, are the founders of 305 8th Street. Williams, who played cards there as a child while her grandparents worked, took the responsibility of the home in 2007. Now in her ninth year as executive director, Williams is awaiting the construction of an additional home across the street from the main campus.
Covering 6,500 square feet, the home was built in 1949 and has been a home for adults since 1980. 305 8th Street has flourished and provides care for 21 disabled men and women.
The annual operation budget for 305 8th Street is $250,000, Williams said. This budget includes managing of the group home’s maintenance, utilities, food and facilities.
Volunteers at this year’s event will include students in Renee Quaife’s classes at Sparkman High School. Quaife works in Sparkman’s English Department and also teachers Spark Industry Robotics and is adviser for “Silhouette” literary magazine and Future Teachers of Alabama.
Advance tickets for Blue Jeans and Barbecue are $30 for adults, $10 for children or $300 for table seating. For ticket information, visit 3058thstreet.org.
