For the uninitiated, Mike Albus and John Basler inadvertently began a small but increasingly larger holiday tradition in December, 1996 by hosting a party (Kegs for Kids I) at their apartment in Marchetti Towers 509E at Saint Louis University. They supplied the location and kegs of beer, and many of you contributed money or toys that we donated to support the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots campaign here in St. Louis. At the end of the evening, Mike and John hopped in the car and donated the money to Toys for Tots at FM 101 The River's live broadcast at West County Mall. That first year we raised less than $200 but everyone had so much fun, we decided to make it a tradition.
Kegs for Kids II took place at Georgetown Apartments in 1997 and took in approximately $250. And each subsequent year, it has gotten a little bigger.
Kegs for Kids III coincided with John's parents' vacation as we borrowed their house in mid December 1998. Highlights include a barbeque with all the major meat groups represented, and nearly $500 in proceeds. This was the first year that we actually went shopping with the proceeds and donated all toys instead of cash.
1999 was a big year for K4K. John had purchased a house that year, so Kegs for Kids had a new venue. And with this new venue came more people. When the dust cleared, we had amassed approximately $800 in cash and toys. John and sister Amanda took the cash to Wal-Mart where K4K purchased the toys and donated them directly since we missed the River's live broadcast that year.
2000 was an outstanding year for K4K as well. The venue was the same, but we had some new tricks up our sleeves. First and foremost was the T-shirt sale. Ed Glanz provided an unbelievable design that I had made at Priority One. We sold over 60 shirts that added several hundred dollars to our bottom line. At the end of the evening, we had killed three 1/2 bbls of Bud Light as well as polishing off nearly 10 cases of bottles and cans. But more importantly, we had come up with over $2500 in cash and toys. So the following weekend, 8 of us went to Wal-Mart and bought every toy in sight. We then dropped off the 2 1/2 carloads of toys at Chesterfield Mall for the radio simulcast. It was safe to say a good time was had by all.
K4K VI took place on December 8, 2001. Goals were lofty this year due to the success of the previous events. New additions included a tent for K4K Central. Five half-barrels of Pestalozzi Street's finest were ordered, and you all responded. When all was said and done, we had raised over $3500 worth of goodies for Toys for Tots (yet another record!). Since the River's live broadcast came early, we had to make a special appointment with the Marines to deliver the goodies.
In 2002, K4K really exploded. Our new non-profit corporate status and 501(c)3 status were expertly handled by K4K attorney and friend Kerry Feld. A new summer party at Fat Freddie's was successful, as was the traditional house party over Thanksgiving for family and friends. The Mike and Mins party was a great time for all.
The parties in St. Louis continued, but in 2005, K4K "Global" Director - and by Global we mean anywhere outside of St. Louis - Javad Khazaeli and his roommate Brian Williams began throwing parties in Washington, DC and Arlington, VA. With the help of the generous people at the Hawk n' Dove on Capitol Hill, Mister Days in Arlington and Capital Eagle - the local Anheuser-Busch distributor - K4K DC has continued the tradition out of St. Louis.
In 2007, Kevin Doll began throwing a K4K party after Christmas in St. Louis. The past few years, the party has been at Cruisin' 66.
In the 14 years that Kegs for Kids has existed, we have raised over $75,000 for local Toys for Tots chapters.
This year, we continue the tradition with the post-Thanksgiving party at John Basler's house, the pre-XMAS DC party at Town Tavern in Adams Morgan and the post-XMAS STL party at Bruno's American Grill.
And you can always donate online. Thanks for your support, and we hope to see you at one of the parties!!!!