MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Members of the Monongalia County community are ready to take part in a popular fundraising event to support the Monongalia County Child Advocacy Center.
The 2025 iteration of the annual Battle of the Bartenders fundraiser will take place on Thursday, November 20, starting at 5:30 p.m., where Monongalia County-based attorneys, nurses, and regular employees with the Monongalia County Child Advocacy Center (CAC) will serve drinks that will be offered to customers throughout the evening. CAC Director of Development and Administrative Services Taylor Shultz encourages Morgantown area residents to drop on by, where child protective service representatives will also be on hand to serve unique offerings.
“We have a team from the (Mon County) Public Defender’s Office, forensic nurse examiners, and CPS, and then we have a team from our agency here at the CAC,” said Shultz.
According to Schultz, the four teams will each have just under an hour to show off their skills, with tips collected either in person or online going towards the final tally count for each team. Kegler’s bartenders will also be on hand in the event of a sudden rush, with the majority of the guest bartenders taking part in the competition for the first time. Specialty drinks will also be offered on an individual bartender basis.
“Each team has 45 minutes to be guest bartenders of the night with some help from the bartenders at Kegler’s, of course,” said Shultz. “And then the team that brings in the most tips wins, and the tips will support the work we do here at the advocacy center.”
The proceeds will support the dozens of various services that are provided by the Monongalia County Child Advocacy Center to those who are victims of domestic abuse. This includes mothers trying to get out of dangerous situations as well as offering safe locations for children in similar circumstances. All of this is done free of charge for anyone in need of their services.
“The main services that we provide at no out-of-pocket expense to the families are forensic interviews, therapy, and family advocacy services,” said Shultz.
There will be no costs to attend the 2025 Battle of the Bartenders, with opportunities both in-person and online available to support the bartending teams. Links to offer donations before the start of the event Thursday are available on the Monongalia County Child Advocacy’s website, with donation hubs open until the end of the event. With all proceeds going straight into the community, Shultz and other members of the MCAC hope those wishing to have fun supporting a good cause will stop by.
“You can visit our website or our social media pages, you’re able to donate online, and you’re able to put in the memo of your donation if you want to vote for one of the favorite teams,” said Shultz. “Those tips count towards their end-of-the-night goal.”