To mark their 10th anniversary, Humphrey’s Pub in Merrill offered an opportunity to raise funds funds for local causes throughout 2015. One Thursday a month, guest bartenders slung drinks at Humphrey’s for two hours with all their tips going to the charity of their choice. In addition, the bar donated 10 percent of their proceeds during that time.
“The idea is to encourage co-workers, friends and family to come down, support the cause and have a good time,” said Humphrey’s owner Beth Humphrey. “It didn’t take long to fill the calendar with volunteers. Oh, and it also was a competition. It started a little slow the first month, but people started getting more and more creative. They added raffles, food and the rules were… there are no rules – whatever they could do to raise as much money as possible in the two hours.”
The causes that benefited from the event included: Merrill Community Food Pantry, Never Forgotten Honor Flight, Boys & Girls Club, Relay for Life, Stephanie Elliot Fund, Aspirus NIC Unit, Tough Enough to Wear Pink, Jessi’s Wish, Mason Carpentier Fund, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Lions Camp and Merrill Firefighters Charities.
The overall winner of the year was Jessi’s Wish, with a total of $2,400 raised. Nicole Henke and Kirstin Boquist bartended and a whole bunch of other volunteers ran raffles.
At the end of the year the grand total from the various fund raisers was $10,440.
Humphrey said she plans to do it again in 2016.