Russ Harrelson was born and raised locally in Alcolu. He currently works as a chicken farmer, owning four chicken houses. However, he goes down to the beach once a year and barbecues a hog, selling portions and then donating the profits to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
When asked where he came up with this idea, he said, “I have been giving to St. Jude monthly for probably ten years, and I enjoy barbecuing hogs and just decided to do it last year and this year for vacation. My father was the one who had the idea to take the money and donate it to St. Jude.”
Last year, Harrelson raised over seven hundred dollars; this year, he grew even more, raising over nine hundred dollars. He said, “There is no real challenge to be honest with you. Barbecuing is the closest thing I have to a hobby. I enjoy doing it. If I can do it and help somebody else at the same time, it is a win-win.”
As far as promoting this event, he would put fliers up around the condominium days before it would take place. “The turnout during both years has been really good, and I hope to do it again next year. We’d love to do it a little bit bigger and a little bit better to make a bit more money,” he emphasized.
Harrelson credits his family on his knowledge of cooking hogs. “Just watching [family] over the years is basically where I’ve learned,” he explains. He not only barbecues hogs to sell during vacation but also for weddings, graduation parties, birthday parties, and more. Harrelson says the enjoyment of cooking and giving back helps him stay motivated and continue the effort.
His advice to anyone wanting to start their own charitable endeavor is that it does not matter what charity one wishes to give to as long as they do it with the good intention of helping others.
