Center of the Universe Brewing Company will host its 6th Annual St. Paddy’s Day Party on Saturday, March 7. The St. Paddy’s Day event will also serve as a fundraiser for the brewery’s El Balderinos team in support of St. Baldrick’s Foundation.
Led by a group of like-minded beer fans, called the “COTU Satellites,” the St. Baldrick’s team participates each year in El Balderinos fundraiser by shaving their heads to raise money for childhood cancer research. Organizers of the event say the fundraiser’s name was inspired by a seasonal beer at Center of the Universe called El Duderino.
The St. Baldrick’s team at Center of the Universe was formed by Bridgette Kelly, a COTU Satellite member who shaved her head to support a friend 7 years ago. When Center of the Universe fans learned of her efforts, a team quickly formed and the official fundraiser was launched. Over the years, the brewery’s team has grown in numbers and in recent years Center of the Universe has brewed The Bald Irishman, a gold medal winning Irish Red Ale benefiting El Balderinos. For their efforts, the Center of the Universe team participating in El Balderinos has raised over $120,000 since forming.
“I can’t believe it has been seven years already,” says Kelly, the team’s inspiration who is routinely one of the highest fundraisers. “It has been humbling to watch our community rally around this noble cause and grow it to what it is today.”
This year, the Center of the Universe team will add a new member, Phil Ray, co-founder of Center of the Universe Brewing Company. “It is an honor to be part of such a dedicated and generous community whose only goal is to eradicate childhood cancer,” says Ray. “The Balderinos work all year long to raise money and awareness and I could not be more proud to join them this year.”
The St. Paddy’s Day Party and El Balderinos fundraiser this Saturday will include live music all day, multiple food trucks with Irish inspired faire, a visit from Nutzy and Natasha of the Richmond Flying Squirrels, a silent auction, and games and raffles throughout the day. Pint glasses and T-shirts will be for sale with proceeds benefiting St. Baldrick’s Foundation. The event is free to attend and family friendly.
For more information about El Balderinos, visit https://www.stbaldricks.org/teams/mypage/126741/2020.