NORTHAMPTON — Drawing Board Brewing Company in Florence is hosting a fundraising event to assist Springfield’s Ronald McDonald House, one of two such house programs in the area that provide support and resources to families seeking nearby medical care.
The brewery is spearheading the event at its taproom on Aug. 10 at 36 Main St. during its regular Saturday business hours of 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., according to Corey Lynch, a co-owner of Drawing.
The day will include the release of a special Drawing Board beer called “Helping Hands,” which will be available on tap, or in cans for people to take as a to-go item.
Lynch described the new beer as a west coast pale ale that features “piney characteristics” and a little bit of citrus flavor.
“A portion of our sales that day, from that beer and from our other sales that day, will be going to the charity,” said Lynch, who added that people also have the option to choose from the brewery’s nonalcoholic selection to support the house if they so desire.
The goal right now, according to Lynch, is to fund all 20 of the guest rooms at the Ronald McDonald House in Springfield for one night. The hope is to reach $2,400 to make that happen.
“Of course, we will accept funds beyond that,” Lynch said. “Every little bit helps.”
To celebrate the fundraiser, Lynch said the brewery will be hosting a local jazz group from 3 to 5 p.m. and will have cornhole set up on their outdoor patio. Patrons are also allowed to bring outside food, which is something that Drawing regularly allows.
“We have a lot of cool things going on that day,” Lynch said.
According to their website, the Springfield Ronald McDonald House provides a link between families and essential medical care. Aside from the 20 guest rooms and private baths, the house includes one respite suite that allows families to rest and refresh themselves, fully stocked communal kitchen, a communal dining area and a laundry room with multiple washers and dryers.
The house also features other amenities like a family resource center, TV lounges and a children’s playroom.
“Ronald McDonald House of Springfield is grateful to The Drawing Board and our dedicated group of volunteers for creating and hosting this incredible fundraiser,” said Michelle D’Amore, the CEO of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of CT and Western Mass.
“These efforts are vital in supporting the families who rely on our home away from home during a medical crisis,” D’Amore continued. “Community-driven events like this are essential in their support of the services we provide 365 days a year to children and their families.”
The Springfield house has provided care to “thousands of families” since 1991, serving the needs of families with children undergoing essential care and specialized medical treatment at hospitals and healthcare facilities around the Greater Springfield area.
Lynch said that Drawing Board, which opened its taproom in January 2023, has keyed in on types of charities that they would like to continue to support, especially those that focus on animal rights activism, cancer treatment and human rights.
To the brewery, the Ronald McDonald House is one of those charities worth supporting.
“The Ronald McDonald House provides an absolutely incredible service for those who are undergoing very sensitive treatments, including cancer,” Lynch said.
Drawing Board is currently accepting donations when patrons visit the taproom up until the Aug. 10 event.
Ronald McDonald representatives will be present at the event.
Readers can learn more about Drawing Board: drawingboardbrewingco.com and the Ronald McDonald House in Springfield and in New Haven by visiting rmhc-ctma.org.
