Local Brews, Hot Dogs, and Silent Auction to Support Charlotte Youth Charity Fundraiser at Pilot Brewing Charlotte, NC:
Pilot Brewing Co. is set to host a day of celebration and fundraising for local non-profit Inspiring Athletes & Academics (IAA) Saturday, December 15, from 1pm–6pm. There will be a 50/50 raffle and silent auction with dozens of unique items from North Carolina. IAA supports at-risk youth in Charlotte through free tutoring, basketball training, and mentoring; money raised through the fundraiser will support the cost of tutors and academic supplies. In addition to great local brews, there will also be good eats. Mojo’s Famous Hot Dogs—ranked as one of the best hot dog vendors in Charlotte—will be at the event selling hot dogs and sausages.
Among the many items to bid on at the silent auction includes:
• 8.2.0 Karaoke Raffle
• Local Art & Gift Baskets
• Comedy Show & Theater Tickets
• Yoga & Fitness Classes
• Professional Photography Portrait Session
• GoPro Motorplex Kart Racing Package
• Ella Custom Candles
IAA was founded in 2016 to support youth in Charlotte by offering free after-school tutoring and basketball training while also providing career guidance and a small scholarship to be placed in a 529 college savings account. Student participants learn sportsmanship, leadership, and determination to succeed on and off the court. Joshua Geyer, Program Director and founder of IAA, started the organization in honor of his mother, a champion of children and mother of 14 who died of pancreatic cancer in 2015. “What was once my mother’s mission—to help children in need—has become mine, and hopefully we will be able to expand our program geographically within the Carolinas and include athletic training in additional sports,” says Geyer. The goal of IAA is to help struggling students succeed, stay in school, and learn to set goals and achieve them. High school dropouts are more likely to struggle with employment and personal and financial fulfillment, and IAA targets at-risk youth in middle and high school to help them become successful adults.