The pandemic may have abruptly halted APH’s annual chili cook-off fundraiser for WACOSA, a Minnesota organization that serves adults with disabilities, but it did not slow the Bartletts and their channel partners from exceeding this year’s fundraising goal. An Oktoberfest-themed virtual event was held in lieu of the cook-off and all donations were matched by both APH and the Bartlett family, pushing this year’s amount to $301,000 and eight-year grand total to nearly $1.2 million.
More than 85 channel partners and industry dignitaries joined the APH and WACOSA leadership teams during the virtual Oktoberfest-themed event, hosted by Corey Bartlett, president and CEO of APH. Attendees were treated to a commemorative scarf, copy of The Lager Queen of Minnesota book, and flight of hand-picked beers from across the country, which were reviewed live by groups of well-known industry leaders doubling as amateur beer cicerones.
The virtual event culminated with a check presented to Steve Howard, executive director of WACOSA. The donation will be used to fund day programs that provide meaningful work for more than 650 adults with disabilities in central Minnesota.
“On behalf of all of us at WACOSA, we are incredibly honored to be the annual recipient of this incredible donation,” commented Howard. “This effort, led yearly by the Bartlett family and APH, provides us with the resources to assist hundreds of individuals with barriers in their lives to make future dreams reality. APH, the Bartlett family and these amazing suppliers make up a powerful team, of which we are excited to be a part. Our successes, and the successes of those we serve, are their successes.”
“I’m amazed by the support we’ve received, especially during this challenging year,” said Corey Bartlett. “Every dollar raised will go a long way towards advancing WACOSA’s mission. Simply put, we couldn’t be more proud of and thankful for our supplier partners.”
