The grills were hot and the rides were cool at the Gary Coombs Memorial Barbecue.
The Living Sky Casino parking lot was packed with over 100 vehicles for the Canadian Mental Health Association Swift Current Branch's last Tail Light Tuesday. Jeremy Roberts, executive director for the CMHA, was joined by his fellow hot dog hat-wearing CMHA members as they grilled up frankfurters for the crowd, raising over $1,100 for their four core programs.
"All the proceeds stay right here in Swift Current to support our programs," said Roberts.
The four main programs are the meal program, which provides 600 meals a month, the peer support program, the vocational programs, and the social programs.
At just $8 per hot dog, the CMHA sold around 141 units. These also included a drink and chips.
Dustin Vipond, co-founding member of the Rogue Cruisers, was happy to see the support in memory of fellow Rogue Cruiser, Gary Coombs.
"It was a really nice send-off for them, and it's great that we got a good turnout for it," said Vipond.
Coombs was a long-time member of the Eliminators Car Club, a founding member of the Rogue Cruisers, and also a member of the Swift Current Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Swift Current Touring Motorcycle Club, and the Canadian Mental Health Association.
The memorial barbecue put a ribbon on the CMHA's month with the Rogue Cruisers at Tail Light Tuesday. During the course of July, the group managed to accrue $1,800 in donations.
"It's been phenomenal," said Roberts. "I can't say enough good words about all the Rogue Cruisers. They've just been so welcoming, inviting us out, and offering to help us out with anything we need. They've been great to partner with, and then Living Sky Casino has been awesome as well."
Next month, folks will be able to come out and meet members from SaskAbilities at Tail Light Tuesday as the August non-profit partners of the Rogue Cruisers.