Cancer Association Requests Permission to Sell Alcohol at Fundraiser

If there needed to be a reason to hold a barbecue, the Pickens County Cancer Association has an excellent one — to help local people through a difficult time. But to help raise the money they need, the organization had to request permission from city officials to sell alcohol at the upcoming event.

In April, the cancer association is planning to hold a fundraising barbecue at Old Market Square in downtown Easley to help county residents afford all that they need while undergoing radiation or chemotherapy. In order to raise as much money as possible, the event organizers have requested permission to sell alcohol at the event.

The event organizers said the ability to sell alcohol could generate approximately $7,000 in additional funds.

"$7,000 right now with the economy the way that it is would really help us," Pickens County Cancer Association Executive Director Cynthia Smoak said.

The PCCA is a volunteer-run organization that helps residents undergoing cancer treatments pay for the added expenses they can't afford to cover. 

"If you have cancer in Pickens County, you have to leave our county to receive treatment," Smoak said.

The costs of transportation, prescription medications, doctor co-pays and durable medical equipment can add up quickly, Smoak said.

The event has been sanctioned by the South Carolina Barbeque Association and will host teams from South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia to compete for points toward the state title. Coordinators are hoping for a minimum of 15 barbecuers and a maximum of 30 to participate.

Competitors will pay a fee to participate and the public will pay $10 for all-you-can-eat barbecue. In addition to these fees, Smoak hopes to raise even more money from the sale of alcohol.

"Right now there's an ordinance against it," Police Chief William Traber said.

A city ordinance that prevents drinking in public would have to be revised to allow the sale and consumption of alcohol at specific events. Such an ordinance would have to be worded very carefully, Traber said.

"We could always look at it and either amend or repeal what's there," Councilman Chris Mann said.

City Administrator Fox Simons said he has already begun reviewing what other municipalities have done to allow for such an event.

City officials will plan to consider a new or an amended ordinance during the January city council meeting.