Date: September 18, 2009
News - Chaney Enterprises 'Roasting Bull' for 30 Years Strong
It started 30 years ago in a small office with a passion to help find a cure for cancer, which ended Babe Chaney’s life too soon. After losing his father when he was 10 years old, and after graduating from College in June 1979, Frank Chaney, chair of the Chaney Foundation board of directors, envisioned a way that his family could make a positive difference for those with cancer. On an October Saturday in 1979, Dickie Chaney, then Chaney Enterprises’ president, with a few customers, vendors, community folk and a score of employees fired up the pit and the Bull Roast took off, helping to meet his family’s goal of beating cancer.
“Each year the Chaney Foundation has given $20,000 to the American Cancer Society for Charles County while investing the balance so that someday the accumulated balance would provide the $20,000 a year on its own --- and thus make the gift sustainable,” said Chaney, who lost both his father, Eugene “Babe” Chaney and brother Dickie Chaney, to cancer. “We believe we are now at that point. An Endowment starting at over $700,000 has now been created at the Community Foundation of Charles County (CFCC) for the benefit of the American Cancer Society.”
Now 30 years later, the Bull Roast has found a wider calling. “We all know that the current economy has been tough on businesses,” said Chaney. “All good charitable organizations have been faced with the challenges of the current economy, too. As a result, with ACS benefiting from the endowment, The Chaney Foundation has decided to share the proceeds of this year’s event with challenged organizations through the CFCC.”
This welcomed news comes right on time for Gretchen Hardman, executive director of CFCC. The CFCC, along with the United Way and the Charles County Commissioners, collaborated to conduct and complete The Priority Needs Assessment for Charles County, an effort to look at the community’s most pressing needs. “Now that we have a valuable tool in the Assessment and with so much information to work with, we intend to give where our support funds are able to make the biggest difference,” said Hardman.
The 30th Annual Bull Roast will be held on October 3, 2009, from 1-5 p.m., at the Waldorf Elks Lodge. Tickets include the barbequed beef, ribs, burgers and hot dogs, sides, oysters and beverages donated by Coca Cola Bottling Co. Activities include Big 6 Wheel, Blackjack and more. This year, music and entertainment will be provided by First Groove Sound Services. Guests can bid on a great silent auction that includes items donated by Safeway of Waldorf Crossing, Embellishments A La Maison, Portrait Innovations, Clark Machinery Co., Freedom Office Products, All-American Harley Davidson, David F.A. Taylor and Son, Inc., The Brick Companies, Best Western La Plata and Annapolis Marriott Waterfront.
Bull Roast guests park at the Chaney Office Building at 12480 Mattawoman Drive and are shuttled to the event. Tickets are $50 each for adults; $25 for youth 6-12 years. The proceeds from the Bull Roast will be coordinated through the Community Foundation of Charles County to support community funds. For tickets or information, contact Sherry Santana, community relations specialist, 301-932-5665 or e-mail ssantana@ChaneyEnterprises.com. To see a list of silent auction items, visit ChaneyEnterprises.com and click on “Bull Roast.” For credit card ticket purchases, visit CharlesCommunityFoundation.org.
Bull Roast volunteers Jeff Slagle, Jamey Modlin and Hall Chaney tend to the barbeque pit during last year’s annual Bull Roast.