CULLMAN, Ala. – The United Way of Cullman County (UWCC) held one of its annual fundraisers on Friday, March 15, at Goat Island Brewing. The United Way Crawfish & Shrimp Boil was hosted by UWCC’s Young Professionals (YP) Board.
YP members attended to guests during the all-you-can-eat boil, clearing tables and directing the queue of hungry supporters. Each wore a trademark red shirt and spoke to guests about the YP Board and the program itself, including ways to join and get involved.
United Way Resource Development and Outreach Manager Taylor Johnson said previously of the YP Board and prospective members, “It’s a stepping stone to get to the ‘big’ board one day. If you have a love for charity or just giving back to the community and you are a young professional and you can bring something to the table, we want you!”
The day had been forecasted to be a dreary one, with an anticipated rainstorm holding over the whole area. Luckily morning and afternoon downpours subsided, leaving a wet and cool atmosphere for the community binge, a cool breeze and crisp air the perfect weather for a spicy, savory mouthwatering buffet.
“I am so proud that the weather held off!” said UWCC Executive Director Stephanie Childers. “(Johnson and I) may have had a little freak out about it, thinking, ‘What if it rains?’ We spoke to Hank’s and made sure they were good to go if it rained, but luckily we didn’t need to.”
The rain did indeed hold off and Goat Island’s outdoor picnic tables created the perfect food court, giving feasting attendees a bird’s eye view of the magic being made. Cullman local and Louisiana native Aaron Coombs, who also owns Hank’s Sports Bar and Deli, was in the thick of the excitement, simmering up a pot of spicy seafood boil consisting of crawfish, shrimp, red potatoes and corn. The shrimp and crawfish were an in-kind donation from Hank’s, and Vest Plumbing did the same with the fresh veggies for the feast.
The fundraising event was a huge success for the UWCC, which supports 19 local nonprofits as partner agencies. The proceeds from the Crawfish & Shrimp Boil are set to support those agencies.
“We are up $2,921.28 from last year,” said Childers, “Which brings the 2024 Crawfish Boil total to $7,131.28!”
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