Going Beyond; Portage County Tavern League distributes $10K into community
By Kris Leonhardt
PORTAGE COUNTY – While 2020 has been hard on the bar and restaurant industry, Portage County owners are overlooking their own challenges to assist the community.
“We thought we would do something for the holidays and try to get some positive PR for us bar and restaurants,” said Kim Krayecki, Portage County Tavern League treasurer.
“We brought it up in our meeting. We have some money in the charity account, and I thought what better way than to donate to some local charities and keep the money local. And, just try to put a smile on people’s faces for the holiday season.”
While they are helping others, some of these Portage County businesses are struggling to keep the doors open.
“Some areas are closed down already again, and may not even open up again; it’s a heart-breaking thing for small businesses,” Krayecki added.
“It’s been a tough road for us. It’s still a tough road. We struggle; night business isn’t the same. Business isn’t the same; we haven’t seen a lot of our customers back because of COVID. I don’t blame them. You’ve got to stay home; you’ve got to be safe.”
Krayecki added that bar owners are working hard to help keeping everyone safe by cleaning and “doing whatever we can.”
Doing whatever they can extends to community outreach, which is something the league works toward each year.
“We do a lot of fundraising. We do a golf outing; we have a bowling tournament; we have a steak feed. Our members and their customers that come to the fundraisers, we generate money every year and it goes in our charity fund, and then we disperse it,” Krayecki explained.
The league’s state organization also matches $1,500 each year in funds that are donated to charity.
This year, the tavern league earmarked $10,000 to distribute in the community, with $2,500 each going to the Red Kettle Campaign, Operation Bootstrap, and WSPT’s Christmas for Children. In addition, $500 went to the Boys & Girls Club, $500 to Children’s Miracle Network, $565 to Evergreen Community Initiatives, $435 to the Power of $5, $200 to the Moose Lodge Christmas campaign, $200 to the Elks Club holiday baskets, and $100 to the Knights of Columbus basket program.
Safe Ride Home program
The tavern league will also run its yearly New Years Eve Safe Ride Home program this holiday season.
“For anybody that is out for New Years, out in the community anywhere, out to have a beverage; and if they have too much to drink, then we will get you home free. The tavern league is picking up all rides home from any establishments,” Krayecki said.
“Any bar or restaurant that they are at, all they have to do it give Courtesy Cab a call. They are giving free rides home from 10 p.m. until 3 a.m.”
Courtesy Cab can be reached at 715-342-8863.