RICHMOND, Va. – Raise a pint – or a few – for Richmond Public Schools on Saturday, July 16. Fixing the old, crumbling buildings -- with conditions that teachers called "deteriorating and dangerous -- has been a consistent challenge for the school system.
A group of advocates have an extreme makeover plan for RPS, and have several fundraisers planned, including one on Saturday that involves five local breweries.
The group “Building a Better RPS” will donate time and money raised to physically improving all 47 Richmond schools. The planned work will include landscaping, painting projects, and repair from replacing ceiling tile to larger plumbing, electrical and HVAC work.
To fund their endeavors, in addition to the online DONATE button, there are several fundraisers.
On Saturday, participating breweries Isley Brewing, Buskey Cider, Stone Brewing, Garden Grove and Triple Crossing will donate .50 cents of every pint sold to the RPS fund.
The owner of Triple Crossing said that when he was approached about fundraiser it made perfect sense to participate.
"So, between the three of us we have five kids, two of which will go to Richmond Public Schools, so we very much want to be supportive of the community,” said owner Adam Worcester. “ We've been supporting the community since we opened two and a half years ago.”
Those who stop by Triple Crossing on Saturday will also be able to sample the second in the “Lockout” series, the DIPA “Blood and Gulch.”
Garden Grove Brewing Company in Carytown will be open from noon to 1 a.m. on the day of the fundraiser, and will have 12 taps from which to choose. They will offer a few standards and a few limited releases, including a gluten-free “Sparkler” variety.
The brewery owners also have kids who attend RPS, and wanted to help.
“As a small business in the community, we take participating and engaging in the community very seriously,” said Marketing Director Public Relations John Paul Cheski. “We heard about the funding issues and state of debt, and that was a factor.”
Cheski said that the project seems to “growing awareness and support faster than they expected.”
All money raised will go directly into the volunteer fix up; everybody participating is donating their time and energy.
Locations and Saturday hours are below.
To donate directly to “Building a Better RPS” or volunteer your time for their project, click here.
Buskey Cider
2910 W. Leigh Street, Richmond, VA
(804) 355-0100
Noon to 10 p.m.
Garden Grove
3445 W Cary St, Richmond, VA
(804) 918-6158
Noon to 1 a.m.
Isley Brewing
1715 Summit Ave., Richmond, VA
(804) 716-2132
Noon to 10 p.m.
Stone Brewing Co.
4300 Williamsburg Ave, Richmond, VA
(760) 294-7899
11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Triple Crossing
113 S Foushee St, Richmond, VA
(804) 308-0475
Noon to 10 p.m.
