The Family Care Network’s 2nd Annual WILD WEST BBQ BASH

A day of BBQing and family fun benefitting foster and high-needs children and families on June 26th at Preisker Park, Santa Maria

In this email:
Event Overview | Partnership Opportunities | Who We Are | Why We “Q” |

The Lay of the Land:

On Saturday, June 26th, the Family Care Network will host its 2nd Annual Wild West BBQ Bash, a family-friendly event benefitting foster and high-needs children and families on the Central Coast. The public is invited to enjoy live entertainment and world-class BBQ as BBQ teams from Santa Maria and around the state compete for the Wild West crown!

The event will feature live music, great food from local vendors, family activities, and the opportunity to taste and vote on world class BBQ. The fun runs from 11:00am to 4:00pm at Preisker Park in Santa Maria. Admission to the event is free, and BBQ tasting tickets will be $2 each. You can pre-purchase Tasting tickets at any Central Coast Farm Supply location or by calling the Family Care Network at 805-781-3535. See you there!

If you missed last year’s event, check out the video to catch up on the Wild West BBQ Bash.

Partnership Opportunities:

The Family Care Network has partnered with the Santa Maria Chamber of Commerce as well as the Recreation and Parks Department to put on the Wild West BBQ Bash - a cultural celebration of Santa Maria’s history expressed through local culinary arts, agri-business, craftsmanship, dance, music, and the participation of a large and diverse crowd.

Central Coast community members have the opportunity to join this partnership by becoming a sponsor:

• Bronc Rider ($1,000)
• Steer Wrestler ($750)
• Calf Roper ($500)

Sponsoring the Wild West BBQ Bash through an in-kind or monetary contribution is an incredible marketing opportunity, as we are expecting over 3,000 guests from throughout the Central Coast. Prior to the event, promotional material will be distributed throughout Santa Maria, creating even more community awareness for your company’s commitment to bettering our community. Better yet, participating sponsors will have the opportunity to participate in judging the best barbecue in the west while giving back to foster and high-needs children and families in Santa Maria.

Santa Maria Mayor Larry Lavagnino and other community leaders will be participating in the festivities. The Wild West BBQ Bash is a special opportunity for businesses to come out and enjoy a family-friendly afternoon in beautiful Santa Maria while networking with local community leaders. Our hope is to create mutually beneficial partnerships in Santa Maria in an effort to sustain these life-changing services while honoring businesses that join the effort to serve our community’s foster and high-needs children.

Have any more questions? Please give us a call at (805) 781-3535 or visit www.fcni.org.

Who is the Family Care Network:

The Family Care Network is a private, nonprofit children and families services provider. Established in 1987 for the purpose of creating family-based treatment programs as an alternative to group home or institutional care for children and youth, the agency, accredited by the California Alliance of Child and Family Services, operates multiple programs designed to strengthen and preserve families and individuals. The mission of the Family Care Network is to enhance the wellbeing of children and families in partnership with our community.

Why We BBQ:

Max’s Story – A Bright Future
When Max was 13 years old, his mother unexpectedly passed away. Having no biological family to care for him, Max entered the foster care system and was placed with loving Family Care Network foster parents. Max worked hard through high school and earned good grades while working part-time. He felt ready for life after high school when he graduated, but quickly found it difficult to juggle college and a job. Even though Max had the emotional support of his foster parents, he needed more help balancing all of his new adult responsibilities without drowning. At age 20, Max entered the Family Care Network’s Transitional Housing Plus Program (THP+) so that he could remain in school while working towards his future goals.
In THP+, Max moved into an apartment complex with another male around his age and a Residential Advisor several years older than him. The living arrangement helped to ease some of the financial burden that Max was experiencing while he tried to attend community college classes and work full time to pay for expenses. While in care, Max and his THP+ team set independent living goals for Max, including saving money, buying a reliable car and completing his general education requirements for school. Three months into the program, Max was able to maximize money saved on discounted rent, learned how to effectively budget his money and was connected with a community member who gave him a great deal on a reliable car. Max’s ability to set and achieve such an important goal worked to increase his self-esteem and his belief in his own capabilities; Max felt like he could tackle the world!
In the past year, Max has spent his time in THP+ rising above his circumstances, working every day to become an independent and self-sufficient young man. Max’s THP+ staff have grown to admire his positive attitude and optimism, impressed by his openness to learn. While Max continues to work towards his goal of adult independence and becoming a paramedic, THP+ is excited to see where his determination will take him next.

We’ll see ya there, partn’r!