Barbecue at Jones Memorial United Methodist Church - Sept. 21

You can credit the Men's Club for the barbecue coming up Saturday, Sept. 21, at Jones Memorial United Methodist Church, but organizers say it takes the whole congregation to make the day a success.

"Everyone in the church gets involved, and we couldn't do it without everyone's help," says a news release.

The men will do the heavy lifting for this annual event begun 38 years ago. That first year, they cooked about 500 pounds of meat. This year, they will serve close to 10 times that amount. It's flavored with an original sauce recipe created by the barbecue's founder, Tom Martin.

The sauce is being made this week, and the women of the church are meeting to make coleslaw, baked beans and tea -- and maybe a little more barbecue sauce for good measure. They'll also have baked goods and crafts for sale the day of the barbecue.

Church youth are selling tickets to the barbecue and will be delivering orders to East Ridge businesses on Saturday. The Children's Department gathers orders and help prepare them for delivery.

Funds raised by the barbecue go to purchase coats for needy children in East Ridge schools, as well as to youth camps, youth assemblies and other charitable projects in the church and community.

Over the past 23 years, 2,300 coats have been purchased, totaling over $80,500, organizers say.

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