In Houston, Texas, Cypress Ace Hardware and Feed has turned a local pastime into a team sport. Last fall, Cypress Ace hosted its annual Grill Your Ace Off event, in which 20 teams competed to serve up the best dish to an audience of locals and a panel of judges. It was all in good taste, though, because the competition supported a worthy cause.
Grill Your Ace Off benefits the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, a non-profit organization and nationwide network of children’s hospitals. Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals raises awareness and funds so that children can get the care they need, regardless of their condition or their family’s ability to pay.
The competition took place on Saturday, October 18, 2014. Cypress Ace had over 375 attendees. Cypress Ace provided teams with a grill, charcoal and team shirts, but the grill masters brought the meat and the flavor. This year dishes were judged by Greg Garofalo of Big Green Egg, Michelle Merhar and Caitlin Espinosa from Fox 26 News, and Jimmy Alexander President of Ace Hardware Foundation.
Cypress Ace paves the way for other local businesses to give back. Most of the event’s supporters and sponsors are independent businesses from the Houston area like: Alspaugh’s Sterling Events and More than Signs. With this support from other local businesses, Cypress Ace is bringing the small business community together to give back and sustain a worthy cause.
The event raised over $11,000, with proceeds going directly to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Bill Murff, the owner of Cypress Ace describes what’s most memorable about the whole event and giving back: “When our miracle child’s family gets up to tell you about their story and you look around and there is not a dry eye around.” “We are just ordinary people, surrounded by an extraordinary community,” he says. To hear the story of Cypress Ace’s miracle child, Raelyn, visit the Facebook group Save Raelyn.
Cypress Ace’s Grill Your Ace Off shows that local businesses can make a real difference for national causes. The local support from Houston will help local hospitals across the country by bringing in much-needed money and awareness. For more information about Grill Your Ace Off, visit www.cypressace.com/grill-your-ace-off.
Indies Acts of Kindness is an ongoing blog series that profiles independent businesses doing exceptional work for their communities, charities, employees, and their customers. If you have a great story to tell please email us at info@IndependentWeStand.org and you could be featured in our blog.
