BRICK CITY BEER AND WINE FEST RAISES $133,500 FOR LOCAL CHARITIES

The Ocala Silver Springs Rotary Club, in partnership with Ocala Sunset Rotary Club, successfully raised $133,500 at this year’s Brick City Beer and Wine Festival. The amount shattered last year’s record of $70,000, noted the news release.

On June 23, representatives from Interfaith Emergency Services, Kimberly’s Center for Child Protection and the Marion Literacy Council were awarded $133,500 at the World Equestrian Center from officials with the Ocala Silver Springs Rotary Club.

“These funds are used directly within our community.

Interfaith Emergency Services provides a wide range of services and assistance to residents in need. Kimberly’s Center for Child Protection provides services for child abuse in a safe and child friendly environment.

Marion Literacy Council provides GED testing and other resources for adults to improve their literacy skills,” according to the news release.

“I think the reason that an event like the Brick City Beer and Wine Festival is so important to us is because every moment that we are not working to raise funds to support our mission is a moment that we can reinvest in offering these life changing services to the community,” said Marion Literacy Council Volunteer Executive Director R.J Jenkins in the release. “It’s not just about money. It’s not just a gift of resources. It’s also a gift of bandwidth to help people who deserve our help.”

The 2023 festival event on April 8 drew more than 1,400 attendees. Historically, the event has always been held the Saturday before Easter, rain or shine.

“Since its inception in 2014, the Brick City Beer and Wine Festival has helped to raise over $420,600 for local nonprofits,” noted the news release.