Charity Pig Roast to Benefit Township Resident

If you're looking for something fun to do locally while at the same time helping a Washington Township resident, make plans to attend the 13th annual charity pig roast at Lou's Tavern in Hillsdale Sunday.

Tavern owner Cindy Zayak-Barnum took over the family-run business 15 years ago. In her first years as owner, one of her bartenders died suddenly from a brain aneurysm at the age of 36 without life insurance. To help the woman's boyfriend pay for the funeral, Zayak-Barnum decided to hold a pig roast and donate the proceeds.

"Then it just snowballed," Zayak-Barnum said and Sunday will be the 13th time she's hosting a pig roast.

The proceeds this year will benefit Jane Baez of Washington Township. The single mother of four has a rare blood disease and no health insurance so the money will go toward her medical care. She works at in Westwood as much as she can. The owner there got in touch with Zayak-Barnum through her sister-in-law and told Baez's story.

Baez said she's excited for the pig roast Sunday and plans to attend the event with her children.

"I was just overwhelmed how much is being put into this," she said. "It's going to be a fantastic day."

The event has grown in size over the years according to Zayak-Barnum. In addition to the roasted pig, there will be hot dogs, hamburgers, a variety of salads, cookies, cakes and brownies. Soda and water will be free for attendees and beer will cost $2 per glass.

The pig roast has more than just food. There will be a dunk tank, clown, games for children and a racetrack for remote control cars. There will be a 50/50 raffle for gift certificates from local businesses. Tickets will cost $1 for one or $5 for six. T-shirts will also be available for purchase at $15 each.

Zayak-Barnum hopes to raise $5,000 at this year's pig roast. In addition to the raffle, beer and T-shirt sales, attendees pay admission, which costs $15 in advance and $20 at the door.

There was a question whether the event would happen this year because Lou's Tavern had six feet of water after Hurricane Irene blew through the area. But Zayak-Barnum said the event was still on as planned after the cleanup.

Baez said that she's usually the one on the giving end at charitable events.

"I've always been the one to go to fund-raisers," she said. "But things change. You never know when."

The pig roast is scheduled rain or shine for Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. at Lou's Tavern, 74 Broadway, Hillsdale. For more information about the event, call Zayak-Barnum at 201-666-2103.