OFF THE WIRE
Angela Fonner
santacruz.patch.com
The local chapter of Bikers Against Child Abuse
hopes to raise awareness and have fun all at the same time.
April kicks off National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
In an effort to raise awareness for the cause, the Santa Cruz chapter of Bikers Against Child Abuse will hold its first annual B.A.C.A Bash.
The charity event, which takes place on March 27 at the Portuguese Hall in Santa Cruz, will feature the culinary contributions of Felton resident and celebrity MasterChef Jake Gandolfo and live music by Lovers and Strangers, the San Jose band OTR and Michelle Chappel & John Cirillo.
B.A.C.A hopes to not only bring attention to the issue of child abuse, but also to get the word out there about the organization.
“In Santa Cruz County, there are lots of abused kids that we could be helping,” said event organizer and B.A.C.A member Mark Kastner. “We are all about empowering these kids.”
That’s why Kastner has enlisted the help of Gandolfo. And Gandolfo has responded in a big way with a specially prepared menu of slow roasted swine on a spit and a southern style barbeque plate. Also included will be Gandolfo’s own pineapple infused slaw and his Jake’s Mistake award-winning barbeque sauce.
“This hits with me on a lot of levels,” Gandolfo said. “Mark reached out to me and asked me to be involved and I love being involved with the community. Plus, it’s the first annual and I love being involved with the first of anything.”
Since Gandolfo is the current reining Santa Cruz Rib Cook-off champion, the food is sure to draw a crowd, which is precisely what Kastner and B.A.C.A members are counting on.
“We want to bring visibility to B.A.C.A,” Kastner said.
B.A.C.A was founded in 1995 by a social worker who wanted to help a single abused child overcome fear and gain trust. There are now over 150 B.A.C.A chapters in the United States and around the world.
“As an organization, we’ve helped thousands of kids,” Kastner explained. “I am involved because God has put a special place in my heart with respect to abused kids.”
Locally, the Santa Cruz County chapter of B.A.C.A will also recognize the Day of the Child with a parade held during the second week of April.
On a national and even world-wide effort, bikers from all corners of the globe will participate in a 100-mile ride which is set for the last weekend of April.
Sunday’s first annual B.A.C.A Bash takes place from 2-7 p.m. at Portuguese Hall in Santa Cruz. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. To learn more and to purchase tickets, visit www.santacruzbikerbash.eventbrite.com or call 831-566-8080.