Woody's Bar-B-Q® Prepares to Raise the Roof While Raising Funds and Awareness for a Special Cause

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Sept. 19, 2016 - PRLog -- For the eighth year in a row, Woody's Bar-B-Q® is getting ready to celebrate its birthday by giving back to those who need it most of all – at risk children in Northeast Florida. By teaming up with the University of Florida First Coast Child Protection Team – a nonprofit organization devoted to the prevention, detection and care for all types of child abuse and neglect – the authentic Southern barbecue concept will not only raise the roof in celebration, but will also raise awareness and much needed funds to support this worthy cause. On September 24, 2016, Woody's Bar-B-Q will commemorate 36 years of serving up expertly prepared slow smoked meats and comfort food sides by hosting its famed spare rib-eating contest at the company's flagship restaurant in Jacksonville. Located at 1680 University Boulevard, the restaurant will also play host to a VIP party from 12-2 p.m., which will feature finger foods, Woody's Bar-B-Q "birthday" cake, silent auction and live entertainment.

A minimum donation of $10 gains a patron access to the party, of which 100 percent of the proceeds will benefit the First Coast Child Protection Team. A $50 donation scores a seat at this year's spare rib eating contest in which contestants compete to see who can eat the most spare ribs within a five-minute time span. Last year's champion devoured an astounding 18 spare ribs by the time the final bell rang. This year's first place winner will receive a coveted $150 "Q Card" gift card and the second place winner will be awarded a $50 "Q Card." All contestants will be given a commemorative "I'm a Total Pig!" T-shirt.

"Our spare rib eating contest is always a fun way to celebrate the 'birthday' of Woody's Bar-B-Q – which has become a true Jacksonville success story over the course of more than three decades," said Yolanda Mills-Mawman, co-founder of Woody's Bar-B-Q. "We're excited for guests of last year's event to see the renovations we've made to our University Boulevard location, but most of all – we can't wait to see the response from the community in support of the University of Florida First Coast Child Protection Team. Since we first began partnering with this incredible non-profit organization, our fans have helped us raise tens of thousands of dollars to assist thousands of children in ways big and small."

Woody's Bar-B-Q is currently seeking donations, sponsors, silent auction contributions and spare rib eating contest participants to make this year's event the best event on record. To participate by making a donation to attend the VIP party or take part in the contest, sponsoring the event or contributing a good or service to the silent auction, please call Woody's Bar-B-Q Director of Marketing, Tammy Cipriani at 904.992.0556 ext. 30. To view Woody's menu online, learn more about the authentic Southern Bar-B-Q brand, or find the closest location, interested parties are encouraged to visit http://www.woodys.com.

About Woody's Bar-B-Q®: After opening their first Woody's Bar-B-Q in 1980, partners Woody Mills and Yolanda Mills-Mawman have spent the past three decades setting the "bar" higher for great Southern Bar-B-Q. From the humble beginnings of just one location in Jacksonville, Florida, a shared passion for Bar-B-Q,  and a dog-eared collection of recipes, Mills and Mawman have grown the Woody's Bar-B-Q brand to locations reaching from the Deep South where Bar-B-Q is king to the Northeast and Western fronts. Perhaps best known for their legendary melt-in-your-mouth slow-smoked Signature Baby Back Ribs, Woody's has also built quite a following among patrons with their secret recipe Bar-B-Q sauces and meats, as well as their freshly prepared comfort food-inspired side dishes. To learn more about becoming a Woody's Bar-B-Q franchisee, visit http://www.woodys.com/franchise/.