Country singer Jimmy Charles and DJ Country Spice are teaming up to host a fundraiser this Friday at Yorktowne Social in Cockeysville, with proceeds supporting the Brigance Brigade Foundation. The event runs from 5 to 11 p.m. on November 6, and organizers say Charles is expected to perform two sets throughout the evening.
According to WBAL News Radio, around 200 people had already RSVP'd ahead of the fundraiser. The night will include charity-designated food and drink specials, along with auctions and raffles benefiting the foundation. Guests can also donate directly through a QR code posted at the door.
Jimmy Charles selected the Brigance Brigade Foundation as the fundraiser's beneficiary, and organizers describe the event as a way of contributing their talents and time to generate awareness for ALS. Yorktowne Social owner Jimmy Trujillo said the idea came together somewhat spontaneously, explaining that Charles had a break in his schedule and was going to be in town, and that their mutual friend, DJ Spice, brought the fundraiser idea to them. Trujillo said the goal of the night is to keep ALS awareness and momentum alive.
Honoring a Ravens Legend's Legacy
The Brigance Brigade Foundation is dedicated to ALS awareness and research and honors O.J. Brigance, the former Baltimore Ravens linebacker and Super Bowl champion who was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, in 2007. Brigance died from complications of the disease this past August, surrounded by his family, according to the Brigance Brigade Foundation.
The foundation states that its mission is to improve the quality of life for people living with ALS and their families by providing access to support services, needed equipment, and resource guidance. Its PALS Grant Program offers financial grants to help offset some of the staggering costs associated with the disease, and the foundation says it has helped hundreds of families since it was founded. Over the past 18 years, the organization has awarded more than $1 million in grants to ALS patients, per WBAL-TV.
A Venue Built for a Community Gathering
Yorktowne Social, located at 84 Cranbrook Road in Cockeysville, offers several distinct spaces under one roof. The venue includes Oak and Olive, an upscale dining room with a Maryland-meets-Mediterranean theme, and Social Kitchen, which carries a South Beach vibe. There's also a sports bar with games and a stage, a private dining room with a speakeasy feel, and a courtyard that offers fire pits and blankets for cooler nights, according to the venue's own site, The Courtyard.
The foundation's fundraising push extends beyond Friday's event. The organization also holds an annual race and walk to raise money and awareness for ALS, with funds supporting the same PALS Grant Program, as reported by WMAR-2 News. That program helps families cover the cost of in-home healthcare, medical equipment not covered by insurance, and home modifications, the station notes, underscoring the kind of day-to-day expenses the Cockeysville fundraiser aims to help offset.
