Despite rainy and chilly conditions, over 200 people turned out for the Mayorís 14th Annual BBQ Ball last month. Mayor Jere Wood and his wife, Judie Raiford, chose STAR House as the benefitting charity of this yearís event and raised $2400 for after-school educational programming and summer camps for at-risk children in Roswell.

Held at Hog Heaven, an historic 1810 log cabin that is the home of Judie Raiford and Jere Wood, this yearís BBQ Ball boasted tastings by some of Roswellís favorite BBQ restaurants. Participating as sponsors of the event and competing for the Best BBQ in Roswell were Dreamland, 1st Due Barbeque (Roswell Firemen), Shaneís, Spiced Right, Talk of the Town, Two Mayors BBQ and Nice Ashes (Willow Springs). Entertainment for the evening was provided by the band, Bone Rockers.

Leadership North Fulton 2009 approached Judie Raiford and Mayor Wood about the project and developed a marketing program for the event.

ìWe are so appreciative of Judieís and Jereís hospitality and for the involvement of Leadership North Fulton.î said Michelle Newton, Executive Director of STAR House. ìThis event enabled us to tell our story to a number of people who had never heard of STAR House, raised much needed funds for our programs and we all had a great time sampling barbeque, Brunswick stew and ribs.”

ABOUT STAR HOUSE: Since 1993, STAR House has been providing after-school educational programming and summer camps for at-risk children between the ages of five and eighteen years old in Roswell, Georgia. Nearly 200 low-income students in area schools benefit from the organizationís innovative approach of emphasizing academic skills improvement in a nurturing, yet accountable partnership of parents, teachers, student and community. For more information please visit www.starhousefoundation.org.