Vote Online to Help Kent Jaycees Win $5,000 Grant

The Kent Jaycees need the public's help in their quest to win a $5,000 grant in the Do Good Outdoors Challenge under way through Aug. 3 on the website GOOD Maker.

The Jaycees are competing against 114 other "good ideas" for outdoor projects that promote social change, so they need Kent-area residents to cast their votes online for the Jaycees' Grill for Good project.

Grill for Good is an outdoor food, music and craft festival celebrating the grilling talents of area foodies, both amateur and professional. All proceeds from the event benefit local charitable organizations, primarily  and the Coleman Foundation.

Eric Pros served as chair of the Jaycees' ever-growing 3rd Annual Grill for Good, held June 9 in downtown Kent. The event raised $5,412 in ticket sales, up from about $4,000 garnered during the 2011 event.

It was decided during a post-event briefing that while Grill for Good is proving to be a success, "it has great potential to become something much more substantial," Pros said.

The group decided that in order to expand the event in 2013, the Jaycees need to pursue sponsorships and take a more regional approach to increase participation.

"Taking the event to the next level entails getting more local foodies, both professional and non-professional, to turn out," Pros said. "Getting the word out ... through a more aggressive marketing campaign would help boost our attendance and participation from the public and businesses alike. The grant that we are hoping to get from the Do Good Outdoors Challenge would help to fund this marketing/sponsorship campaign."

Pros said the Jaycees are hoping to appeal to more professional foodies for the 2013 Grill for Good.

"The number of local restaurants in just downtown Kent alone is set to explode in the near future. All of these various businesses have their own unique flavor and appeal that could be represented at the Grill for Good to give back to the community, as well as market their business to the public," he explained.

The number of non-professional foodie participants also has room for growth. 

"The talent and passion that was exhibited by Kent natives ... this past year was remarkable, and I am sure there are others that have grilling skills that would be welcome," Pros said. "It is absolutely amazing what can happen when good people get together to grill good food for a good cause."

To help Kent Jaycees win the $5,000 Do Good Outdoors grant just click this link, then click on the "vote for this idea" box and follow the directions for casting your vote. The challenge ends Aug. 3.

To learn more about Grill for Good, check out the event website.