Tailgate kickoff coming to Crestline

In 2009, 30 people raised approximately $1,200 for the Critical Care Transport unit of Children’s of Alabama at the first-ever Boiling n’ Bragging event at Otey’s Tavern.

Four years later, more than 800 attendees raised approximately $63,000 for the cause.   

Since Alabama’s Rotary District 6860 partnered with Children’s Hospital of Alabama in 2008 to raise funds for the Critical Care Transport team, the event has become one of the top five fundraising events each year for Children’s of Alabama.

The sixth annual football season kickoff party will take place at Otey’s Tavern in Crestline Village on Saturday, Aug. 16 from 6 to 9 p.m. Event organizers expect the event to continue to grow. 

 “I think we can attribute this success to our relationships within the community and our sponsors that are involved,” said Mindy Wald, community development coordinator at Children’s of Alabama.

To kick off the football season, Boiling n’ Bragging will have team tents, team mascots, face painting, bouncy houses and a cornhole tournament sponsored by the Alabama Cornhole Association.

The event will also offer drink specials, a low-country boil, jambalaya, hamburgers, hot dogs and other grill items for purchase. All proceeds from the event will go to Children’s of Alabama. 

Attendees are encouraged to embrace the game day atmosphere by wearing their team colors.

Since its origins in 1983, the Critical Care Transport team has transported more than 1000 critically ill and injured children safely to Children’s of Alabama each year.

Critical Care Transport’s specially trained group of registered nurses and respiratory therapists have extensive pediatric and neonatal experience. They travel by ambulance, helicopter or jet regionally and occasionally even internationally to transport patients back to Children’s for care. 

All of Critical Care Transport’s vehicles contain the equipment necessary to make the Critical Care Transport unit a mobile extension of Children’s of Alabama.

 “For lack of better terms, it’s the sickest of the sick, the most injured of the injured that we transport back here for care,” said Jason Peterson, transport coordinator for Critical Care Transport. 

Tickets can be purchased in advance for $20 or at the door for $25. Sponsorships are available starting at $500. Registration and tickets are available online at boilingnbragging.org. 

For more information about Boiling n’ Bragging, Children’s of Alabama or Critical Care Transport, visit the boilingnbragging.org or contact Mindy Wald at mindy.wald@childrensal.org.