Large Turnout Surprised Organizers of Brian Daniels Benefit Barbeque

Brian Daniels, a beloved area coach, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year. His cancer was deemed to be in Stage 4 and he has made trips to M.D. Anderson in Houston. Today, he’s sequestered in Shannon Medical Center for chemotherapy and pain management. It's reported that he keeps his spirits high regardless of his circumstances.

Before the diagnoses, Daniels was a volunteer and organizer of benefits for others who have fallen on tough times. When the opportunity arose to hold a benefit in Daniel’s name, hundreds attended the event Sunday, raising the largest amount of charity donations ever recorded in the history of Blaine’s Pub.

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Above: Brian Daniels and his family. (Contributed/Brian Daniels)

Blaine’s is a popular venue for Sunday afternoon fundraisers for people in the area who are sick and facing a mountain of medical bills. There’s generally a fundraiser held there once a quarter or so.

Central to these fundraising efforts is an informal group of barbecuers who call themselves Cooking for Christ. The group is comprised of mostly middle-aged men, and a few ladies too. Their love of barbecuing is best described by peeking at the armada of smokers on trailers parked in the side lot next to Blaine’s around Thanksgiving. Annually, the group cooks hams and turkeys as a fundraiser for county 4H Clubs.

Sunday’s beneficiary, Daniels, helped Drema Neves and Catherine Hood organize previous benefits, and in turn, they returned Daniels the honor.

“I get very emotional. We’re only here on this earth for so long. Everyone leaves footprints, and Brian is leaving awesome footprints,” Drema said.

Catherine added, “He’s a great guy, a great family man.” 

The biggest part of the fundraiser was the auction. A red velvet cake was run through the auctioneer 15 times.

Drema said, “And the sad part is, that cake looked so good, and I don’t know who finally took it home. We didn’t get to taste it!”

Brian’s son, 9-year-old Logan, presented his basketball to the auctioneer. “If you sign it, it’ll get more money,” the auctioneer, Keith Gully said. Logan signed the ball. Tears flowed as an appreciative audience ran the basketball through Gully’s and his caller/spotter Chase Bruton’s stage auction five times, raising $4,900 for Logan’s dad.

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Above: Organizers met Monday for post-mission feedback on Sunday's event. (LIVE! Photo/Joe Hyde)

Rich Jumper, a commercial truck salesman for Freightliner, was another organizer for Sunday’s event. He relayed a story about how in 2012 he witnessed the crash of a motorcyclist on U.S. 67. The motorcyclist was killed and had a young daughter for whom his church relayed a need for her financial help. Feeling convicted, Jumper originally was going to just write a check, but then he happened to meet Daniels who encouraged him to think bigger. The two collaborated on a benefit to help the daughter and became close friends and colleagues. The last event the two organized together was the benefit for the family of fallen police officer Korby Kennedy.

What was Jumper’s motivation?

“If you want to be a good neighbor, you have to act like good neighbor,” Jumper said.

Cooking for Christ serves as the backbone of many benefits and charities throughout town.

“We don’t organize events; we just come and help,” Charles Miller said. Miller is one of the informal leaders of the army of cookers. As a group, they don’t want to take credit for anything other than to be thankful that these types of events allow its members to enjoy cooking for others. It’s an excuse to barbeque and be social, but with a purpose.

Hood said the turnout of 750 people broke the previous record at Blaine’s for a benefit. Barbeque plates went for $10 each. Brian’s older son, Brice, headlined the musical entertainment with his Brice Daniels Band.

Katie Bollinger of Blaine’s serves as the secretary for these events. She was overwhelmed with the turnout and money raised. She’s seen many of these events over her years working there. Blaine’s owner Cody Sturm was more direct.

“There were a ton of people here throughout the day, but please don’t say there were 7,500. I don’t need the fire marshal on me,” Cody said with a steely-eyed laugh.

Bollinger and Sturm were thankful for each and every person who came out to the benefit on Sunday.

Jumper, Neves, and Hood said their next fundraising event will be a rodeo team roping event to be held at the rodeo fairgrounds in March.

Title photo: Inside Blaine's Pub for the Brian Daniels Benefit held Jan. 24, 2016 (Photo credit/Lynsi Daniels)