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Arts & Entertainment

Season of giving lasts all year for D-FW bars and bartenders

The holiday season is officially upon us and the time for giving is here. During the holidays most people feel generous and look for opportunities to give a little extra to those in need.

This giving attitude is nothing new to the bartending community. Bar owners and bartenders are known for giving time and helping raise money for local charities and causes. Why is this characteristic of the hospitality industry? Bryan Townsend has a theory.

A 15-year veteran of the spirits industry, Townsend believes hospitality is a close-knit group of people that genuinely care about one another and dedicate their time to help worthy causes. Townsend is the founder of the organization Trigger's Toys, which helps the families of sick children emotionally and financially. One of the organization's biggest fundraisers is the upcoming Trigger's Toys Fantasy Bar Main Event.

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The event features several pop-up bars under one roof. Participating bartenders are drafted into teams to create their own themed bar concept and compete head-to-head in hopes of raising the most money. Consider it akin to the Food Network's Chopped, but with cocktails.

"Look at how many people are here," Townsend said, gesturing to the 100-plus bartenders. "They're donating their time and doing all these things just because it makes them feel good."

Bar mavens from establishments like Parliament, HG Sply Co. and Midnight Rambler will come together and sling drinks for the fundraiser on Dec. 13 at Henry's Majestic. Townsend believes most people are unaware of bartenders taking the time to help children in need. Last year's event raised more than $100,000, and the goal this year is to raise $150,000.

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The annual Trigger's Toys pop-up bar is just one example, Townsend said. After Hurricane Sandy, members of the United States Bartenders Guild helped each other reopen New York City bars that suffered damage.

It's camaraderie unique to the hospitality industry, Townsend said.

"The hospitality business, that's all they are about, it's really amazing," explained Townsend. "If a bartender or bar back gets hurt everybody rallies, from all different restaurants, from all different bars, to raise money to help them out."

Locally there are several other events that involve drinking for a cause.

Bar owners in Uptown Dallas will open their doors on Dec. 11 for the 12 Bars of Charity, a holiday pub-crawl through some of the area's popular bars, such as So and So'sConcrete Cowboy and British Beverage Co. Proceeds benefit organizations like Kidd's Kids, Dallas Margarita Society and The Ronald McDonald House of Dallas.

Even the beer community gets in on the action. Community Beer Co. hosts adoption events every month for Dallas Pets Alive, which helps find forever homes for animals that are at risk of being euthanized.

The extra time hospitality folks give primarily goes unnoticed, said Townsend.

"What they do, not just for my organization, what they do for anybody is really amazing," he said.

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CarleeAnn Allen is a senior journalism and psychology major at Southern Methodist University. She is the Associate Arts & Life Editor: Food and Fitness for SMU Campus Weekly and writes for Her Campus SMU.