Community Corner
Local Band to Host Fundraiser for St. Louis Children's Hospital
St. Louis cover band Bitter Pill will take the stage Saturday, Nov. 2 for its sixth annual fundraiser to benefit children’s cancer research and treatment at St. Louis Children’s Hospital.
The event, which includes a minimum $5 donation at the door, will be held at Mile 277 Tap and Grill at 10701 Watson Rd. in Sunset Hills, Mo. Festivities will begin at 6 p.m. with a silent auction and 50/50 drawing, and Bitter Pill will perform from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Additionally, 10 percent of all food purchases during the event will be donated to St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Can’t make the show? Donate online at stlouischildrens.org, and type “Bitter Pill Fundraiser” in the comment section.
“Last year, we raised $3,500 during the event, and this year, we’re hoping to double that number,” said Jeff Braun, Bitter Pill’s bass guitarist and event organizer. “Each year, the fundraiser has grown tremendously thanks to the generosity of our fans and event partners like Doc’s Harley Davidson, which has supported the event since the beginning.”
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How the fundraiser began
Braun first approached his fellow band members with the idea of a fundraiser after attending a 2007 Goo Goo Dolls concert in St. Louis in which the band held a food drive for a local charity. He said it was refreshing to see such a big-name band giving back to the community, and he noticed it wasn’t something being practiced on a regular basis on the St. Louis band scene.
“We talked about ways we could give back to the community and decided to host an annual fundraiser,” Braun said. “We chose St. Louis Children’s Hospital as the beneficiary because we all love kids, and we’ve heard nothing but rave reviews about the hospital from our friends.”
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Since 2007, Bitter Pill has raised $17,500 for cancer research and treatment at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. The band’s fundraiser is held on the first Saturday of the month each November.
About Bitter Pill: Bitter Pill is a premier St. Louis cover band, which plays everything from current tunes to classic rock music. The band, founded in 2001, consists of Randy Krusleski, vocalist; Steve Malone, lead guitarist; Jeff Braun, bass guitarist; and Mike Maynard, drummer. For more information, go to bitterpillstl.com or visit the band’s Facebook page.
About St. Louis Children’s Hospital: St. Louis Children's Hospital has provided specialized care for children for more than 130 years. US News & World Report ranks St. Louis Children's #6 on its Honor Roll list of the nation's best children's hospitals. In 2010 the hospital received the Magnet re-designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the nation’s highest honor for nursing excellence. St. Louis Children’s Hospital is affiliated with Washington University School of Medicine, one of the leading medical research, teaching and patient care institutions in the nation. The hospital is a member of BJC HealthCare. For more information, visit www.StLouisChildrens.org, or visit us @STLChildrens on Facebook and Twitter.