- The Ferst Foundation, which provides books free of charge to some of Fannin’s youngest children, received a $3,500 donation thanks to the Blues & BBQ Festival. The free book effort is a project of the Kiwanis Club of Blue Ridge. Accepting the check from festival organizers were, from left, Steven Miracle and Troy Shirbroun of the Kiwanis Club and festival organizers Paul Gribble, Greg Spencer and Dena Martin.
- Habitat for Humanity was one of the recipients of the donations presented to local organizations thanks to the 2022 Blues & BBQ Festival sponsored by the Blue Ridge Lodging Association. Habitat homes traditionally provide shelter for families or single parents with children. Thomas Arp left, accepted the $5,000 check from festival coordinators Dena Martin, Paul Gribble and Greg Spencer.
- The 2022 Blues & BBQ festival raised more than $20,000 to be given to local charities that work to take care of area children. Here, Blues & BBQ organizers, from left, Dena Martin, Paul Gribble and Greg Spencer present a check for $6,840 to Snack in a Backpack Director Deby Beck and several of the volunteer who work with the organization. Snack in a Backpack provides food for Fannin County during the school year to take home on weekends and during tyhe summer thorough a cooperative effort with several local
- The Fannin County Children’s Fund, administered by the Fannin County School System, received a $3,500 donation thanks to the 2022 Blues & BBQ Festival that is a project of the Blue Ridge Lodging Association. The fund helps school youngsters with a variety of needs. Shown during the presentation of the check are, from left, Greg Spencer, Fannin County High School Principal Scott Ramsey, children’s fund representative Tara Cantrell, Paul Gribble and Dena Martin.
Donations of over $120,000 to local charities are the cornerstone of the success the annual Blues & BBQ Festival has brought to Blue Ridge and Fannin County since it began 11 years ago.
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