The annual Brew Moon Beer & Band Festival in McCook is more than sampling beers from around the nation and listening to music.
It also raises money for charities.
Steve Palmer, owner of The Stadium Club at The MAX, chairs the Brew Moon committee.
At the Jan. 21 McCook Village Board meeting, Palmer presented checks to two charities. Funds were raised at the festival with ticket sales and donations.
Each check for $11,000 was the typical oversized version often seen at meetings.
“That’s the check you have to take to the bank,” Mayor Terrance Carr quipped.
All Our Children’s Advocacy Center, based in Justice, was one recipient. It helps children who are affected by abuse.
Danielle Butts, director of the center, thanked the village board “for the children we serve who are victims of crime. … This funding has a huge impact. All our services are free of charge (to recipients).”
“Thank you for all you do for our community,” Butts added.
Samantha Munoz, director of the Center for Independence Through Conductive Education, located next door to Buona Beef on Plainfield Road in Countryside, accepted the other check.
“This is not only an amazing organization, but I’ve been able to work with them in the past,” Palmer said. “I can tell you these people run on a budget you wouldn’t believe and do miracle work.”
Munoz said “the majority of children and families we serve are in low-income housing and wouldn’t be able to afford quality therapy without your help.”
They provide more than $1 million in care to children annually, she said.
Palmer noted, “McCook is a very special place because you get it. It’s not only about the village, it’s about making sure we take care of other people. With your partnership, we’re able to help others.”
Donations were down a third from last year when $33,000 was split by two other charities. The Kelli Joy O’Laughlin Memorial Foundation, based in Indian Head Park, and Community Support Services, based in Brookfield, each received $16,500 a year ago.
The 2025 Brew Moon Festival, which is the 14th edition, will be held Oct. 18. Once again, it will be at The MAX on 47th Street in McCook, where the festival debuted in 2011.
In other business at the board meeting, Public Works Supt. Steve Perrin filed his letter of retirement, effective June 27.
“Congratulations, but I don’t know if (village trustees) are going to accept the letter,” Mayor Carr said, inspiring the audience to laugh.
Perrin has worked 36 years for the village. Before the meeting, he joked that he’s been thinking of retirement since the day he began working for the village.