Benefit 4 Gin’s Tavern t0 be held June 24
FLEETVILLE — The building which housed Gin’s Tavern, as well as Shannon’s Salon and the apartment of Gin’s employee Mary Jane Frable, were destroyed by a devastating fire on Friday, May 19th.
Later that evening, a team of community-minded individuals talked about how to help the tenants and by the next morning, they formed a committee to create a benefit.
It will be held at the Fleetville Fire Company on Saturday, June 24, from noon to 10 p.m.. It’s called Benefit 4 Gin’s Tavern.
“Within 24 hours, people wanted to do something, anything, to feel a sense of purpose and know that they contributed to the greater good for those affected by this fire,” said a committee member. “This is how this benefit came to life.”
While the Vanko family, who owns Gin’s Tavern has the insurance for rebuilding the establishment, they want to support the employees and other nonprofit organizations that they normally support. The committee will oversee the distribution of funds to guarantee they reach the intended recipients.
“We want the community to have complete confidence in the distribution process and feel assured that their contributions will make a genuine difference in the lives of those affected,” stated the Vanko/Kostick families.
The benefit will have something for everyone. There will be three stages of live music performed by bands who have played at Gin’s before. Food will be made on site as well as food donated by area restaurants, including pork roast, potato pancakes, fresh-cut fries and sweets and treats. There will also be a beverage tent. Kids will get to play carnival games and get their faces painted. A cornhole tournament will also take place at 2 p.m. It will be organized by Flying Bags Cornhole. Tons of prizes such as three levels of basket raffles will be up for grabs as well as a silent auction and gun auction. Ticket-only raffles will be for larger prizes, which are a hunting blind, a ductless heating/air conditioning unit and half a steer each for two winners.
“The baskets and raffles will be a large attraction of the day, we are anticipating well over a hundred baskets and many additional raffles,” said Cindy Edwards, basket raffle representative. “Although the event goes until 10 (p.m.), we will begin pulling winners of the baskets at 8 p.m.”
Donations of monetary/gift cards can be dropped off at the following locations: B&B Family Restaurant, Boulevard Rental, Down to Earth Equipment Rentals, Great Produce Experience, Imagine NEPA Theater & Performance Space, North Winds Veterinary Services and Pure Suds Co.
A motorcycle run is also planned on the day of the benefit at 10 a.m. Motorcyclists will start at Gin’s Tavern and end at Fleetville Fire Company.
The community rallying together is a testament of how Gin’s Tavern is such a staple in the area. Everyone in the local community visited the establishment whether it was a baby shower, wedding rehearsal dinner, graduation party, or memorial service. Gin’s lives up to its motto, “You’re a stranger but once.”
The benefit will give an opportunity for members of the community to reconnect.
