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Big Daddy’s Barbecue
 | | 1- On April 20, members of the Vince J. Lopez Memorial Foundation presented the Ronald McDonald House of New York City a check for $2,700 from the proceeds of the 2001 Big Daddy's Barbecue. |
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Big Daddy’s Barbecue, the official charity sponsor of Connecticut Bike Week, is held twice yearly in conjunction with the spring and fall Connecticut Bike Week events. This very worthy charity event draws families and bikers alike. Each year the barbecue is attended by over 500 biker and non-biker enthusiasts. Returning visitors know it is always a day filled with plenty of good food, entertainment, raffles, and opportunities to view varied and beautiful motorcycles of many makes and models.
In February of this year Big Daddy, Craig Buley and Edgar Johnson of the Reservoir Dogs Motorcycle Club were on hand to donate $1,500 at the Saint Jude’s Telethon, which was held at the Torrington High School. To date the Vince J. Lopez Memorial Foundation has raised over $10,000 for Childhood Cancer Charities. This foundation was set up by Glenn and Sandra Buley (Vince’s mother and stepfather) after the death of their son, Vince J. Lopez, 24, in January of 1997. Vince, together with his mother, stepfather, father (Vince J. Lopez, Sr.) and stepmother (Alma Lopez) spent much of his last year in New York City at the Ronald McDonald House struggling to overcome a relatively common form of cancer called germ cell cancer. Vince’s germ cell cancer was rare in that it started in the brain and this made it very difficult, and in the end impossible, to cure.
The Foundation has hosted the Big Daddy’s Barbecue fundraiser for the past six years, and each year the barbecue draws more and more caring people who want celebrate Vince’s memory by helping to donate money to further children’s cancer research.
An all-volunteer staff joins together to put on this event, which is held on Old Route 8 north in Colebrook. The upcoming barbecue is being held on Saturday, May 18, rain or shine. The Turkey Foot Band, a country rock band which has proven to be a real tried and true crowd pleaser, will be on hand again for your listening pleasure, and there will also be a special appearance by champion wood cutter Mike Sullivan. There will be children and adult raffles all day long, and all you can eat barbecued chicken, pork and beef as well as all the salads you can eat and all the beer and soda you can drink. One of the items being offered for raffle is a 25" Magnavox color TV.
Tickets are available by calling Glenn Buley at 860-379-9156, Vince or Alma Lopez at 860-496-7962, or you can purchase tickets at the door.
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