Spring is just around the corner and harkens the return of the East Atlanta Beer Festival. While festival goers look forward to this rite of spring, the Festival is not just a fun event, but also a major fundraising effort, which directly benefits various East Atlanta organizations and charities that receive grants from the Festival’s revenues.

In 2011, the East Atlanta Beer Festival welcomed more than 4,000 attendees from states across the Southeast. With beer festivals multiplying in the city and country, the EABF’s nine-year longevity, non-profit mission, and commitment to innovation and craft beer have built the festival a strong reputation. Over 200 craft beers; including local breweries Jailhouse, Wild Heaven, Sweetwater, and Terrapin; were poured by the incredible volunteers staffing the event. Rarer brews flowed in the VIP section and were consumed along with beer pancakes.

What many people may not know about the Festival is that it raises money and then gives back to East Atlanta charities and organizations in the form of grants. In 2011, the East Atlanta Beer Fest granted over $70,000 to an unprecedented number of organizations. These organizations benefit the community in a number of ways.

The East Atlanta Community Association (EACA): founded in 1981, EACA seeks to bolster a sense of community and improve the quality of life for all. EACA has received EABF grants for a number of projects that reflect the organization’s wide-ranging goals. EABF grants support EACA’s initiatives including: Adopt-A-Street Program, Neighbor in Need, and the East Atlanta Parents Network.

The East Atlanta Kids Club: founded in 1998, Kids Clubs seeks to provide a safe haven for play and education of hundreds of neighborhood children. Headquartered in the Brownwood Park Recreation Center, operational costs are high to run the facility. EABF grants contribute to keeping the Recreation Center operating.

The Friends of the East Atlanta Library (FEAL): supports the library and strives to boost its resource capacity. Funds provided by the EABF assisted FEAL in purchasing a number of tables and chairs for both the main part of the library and for the children’s area.

The Burgess-Peterson Academy: has benefited from several grants this year, including their Garden Education Program and a field trip to the Georgia Aquarium. Additionally, EABF funds support Burgess-Peterson’s creation of a Leveled Book Library, which will allow teachers to better instruct students in reading at their individual level.

Branan Towers: has been providing healthy, affordable living for low-income seniors since 1973. EABF’s grant sponsors their Wellness Program, which benefits the residents by providing appropriate exercise routines and promote greater independence in general.

East Atlanta Farmers Market: an autumn staple in East Atlanta that has been attracting customers fond of locally grown produce and locally produced confections. The EABF is assisting the Farmers’ Market by providing funds for several necessary positions, including Teen Market Assistant, Market Coordinator, Edible Learning Garden Coordinator, and the funding the Food Stamp Matching Program.

Recycle EAV: founded in 2009 with the goal of providing free recycling for East Atlanta Village businesses. Since its inception, Recycle EAV has removed over 39 tons of recycled material that would have otherwise ended up in landfills. The East Atlanta Beer Fest grants help fund this eco-friendly venture.

In 2005, the Sopo Bicycle Cooperative, Inc. opened in East Atlanta, helping anyone who might need help with bicycle maintenance. EABF is providing funds to the Sopo Bicycle Cooperative so they can purchase tools and material to keep their shop open through 2012.

The Historic Sylvester Cemetery: sits on Clifton Road at Braeburn Circle, and has been the final resting place for East Atlantans since 1838. Today, over 1,400 souls have been accepted there, including children, veterans of the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, WWI, WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. The Historic Sylvester Cemetery Foundation has restored and maintained the cemetery since 2002. East Atlanta Beer Fest grants funds to assist with the cemetery restoration and improvements.

Journey Performing Arts Center: is sponsored by Dance 411 and seeks to promote children’s dance and artistic expression. The EABF has provided funds to help fund community workshops that will be held throughout the year.

B*ATL, otherwise known as the Battle of Atlanta Commemoration Organization, Inc.: hosts a series of events surrounding the anniversary of the Civil War Battle of Atlanta, a large portion of which was fought right in the heart of the East Atlanta Village. EABF funds are contributing to historical marker restorations in the community.

Stay tuned on ticketing information and to learn about exciting updates!

By Todd Layton

Notable local brew offerings from Jailhouse Brewery (Hampton),Sweetwater Brewery (Atlanta), and Terrapin Brewery (Athens) were available.  The expanded VIP section bristled with Belgian offerings and other specialty and rare brews.

Brownwood Park was a perfect match for the late-Spring event, sheltering the crowd from the sun in a way the old J.B. Gordon School lot simply couldn’t. Also, the rectangular layout of the site made it easier to transition from one area to the next. An expanded food vendor selection made noshing more convenient, and the prominent stage made the bands an integral part of the festival.

As in years past, the 2010 EABF raised money as a 501(c)3 organization, giving back to the community in the form of grants provided to other non-profit agencies. With tough economic times still crippling charitable donations, EABF has resolved to help in East Atlanta. While not every request for funds could be met, the EABF is proud to announce seven grants to local charities.

The East Atlanta Business Association (EABA) was chartered in the early 1980s as a non-profit corporation and strives to coordinate business and community interests. EABA is deeply rooted in the community and places high priority on public safety issues in the East Atlanta Village.  To that end, EABF has provided funds to EABA to purchase mobile digital security cameras to help deter crime and to aid in prosecution of crimes committed. The mobile cameras have been placed in the East Atlanta Village and will be moved around as trends materialize.

The FitWit Foundation, Inc. focuses on improving the fitness level of kids and teens who may be lacking in an exercise program or healthy eating regime. EABF provided funds to the FitTeens and FitKids programs which are six-week fitness camps that promote healthy bodies and healthy choices. Each week, program staff, interns, and volunteers conduct four one-hour sessions that include comprehensive fitness instruction, fitness games and nutrition components.

The East Atlanta Kids Club has been offering a safe environment for play and learning since 1998. Headquartered in the Brownwood Park Recreation Center, they have been providing a promising future for East Atlanta kids despite crippling budget cuts from the City of Atlanta.  The EABF is happy to assist the East Atlanta Kids Club with operating funds both for the Kids Club and to help keep the Recreation Center open to the public through the year.

Founded in 1981, the East Atlanta Community Association (EACA) bolsters a sense of community in the neighborhood, and works to improve the quality of life for all. EACA casts a wide net through the neighborhood, and the Playgroups and Neighbor in Need programs are two exceptional programs in need of assistance. The East Atlanta Parents Network is an EACA initiative that will hold quarterly, multi-age playgroups at Brownwood Park. Refreshments are provided, as well as games, and other recreation opportunities. Over thirty families have attended previous events providing children and parents with entertainment and community bonding.

Another EACA initiative is Neighbor in Need, which facilitates emergency repairs to long-term, elderly residents. Funds are used for purchasing equipment and construction material needed for the specific repairs.

The East Atlanta Library presents a number of children’s programs, and serves a wide variety of constituents. Ultimately, the Library serves East Atlanta residents and residents of surrounding neighborhoods. The Friends of East Atlanta Library (FEAL) strive to support the Library and boost its resource capacity. Funds provided by EABF will help purchase adult and juvenile books, and DVDs; supplies for children’s storytime programs; a laptop computer for administration purposes; and a baby-changing station for the bathroom.

Through the Summer and Fall, the East Atlanta Village Farmers Market has been a Thursday night tradition, attracting discerning customers fond of locally grown produce and locally produced products. The Farmers Market accepts EBT and WIC vouchers, making it accessible to all residents, regardless of income. The Farmers Market employs a Teen Market Assistant who helps vendors set up, troubleshoots general problems, and runs the market information booth. Grants from the EABF will help the Farmers Market continue to accept payment assistance plans, and to employ their Teen Market Assistant.

The EABF is also proud to assist the Sylvester Cemetery, which is the oldest historic site in East Atlanta. The cemetery has been in existence since 1838, when the Brown family laid to rest their own on a hill overlooking Sugar Creek. Over time, the Sylvester Cemetery grew, accepting more than 1,400 souls, including children, and veterans of the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, WWI, WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.  Years of neglect and decay left the cemetery in an overgrown and dangerous state. The Historic Sylvester Cemetery Foundation has restored and maintained the cemetery since 2002, making it an urban park where people can stroll, walk their dog, and benefit from the lovely surroundings. EABF funds will assist the Historic Sylvester Cemetery Foundation with masonry projects, signage, and tree removal.

Recycle EAV was founded in 2009 with the goal of providing free recycling for East Atlanta Village businesses and residents. Eight 95-gallon bins are available free of charge to the public and to EAV businesses. Since it began, weekly pick-up of plastic, glass, and aluminum have resulted in about twelve tons of recycled material that would have been added to local landfills.  The EABF grant helps fund this eco-friendly venture.

In addition to grants, the EABF continues to sponsor the East Atlanta Strut and B*ATL. Held in September, the East Atlanta Strut is a major community event that highlights the East Atlanta Village, which becomes home to a vendor market, parade, and music venue. The East Atlanta Strut brings in thousands of participants and showcases our neighborhood. B*ATL is an event that marks the anniversary of the Civil War Battle of Atlanta. Held in July, the event is spread over several days and includes a 5K race, walking and bus tours, and an encampment reenactment.

The eighth annual East Atlanta Beer Fest will be held in Brownwood Park on May 21, 2011. It promises to be a sell-out event – just as it was in 2010 – so get your tickets early. More information can  be found at www.eastatlantabeerfest.com. Remember, all those attending will be helping their community, one beer at a time.

In these economically uncertain times, charities nationwide are facing shortfalls in fund-raising and in operating costs. While nothing short of a global economic turn around can reverse this trend, the EABF can help in East Atlanta. EABF, Inc. was designated with 501(c)(3) status in 2005 and 2008 marks the second year that EABF has distributed proceeds from the festival using a grant application process.

When the EABF sent out applications for grants, they received several well deserved and worthy requests. Although not every request could be met, the EABF is happy to announce that seven East Atlanta charities are recipients of over $25,000.

Martha Brown United Methodist Church has been an anchor in the East Atlanta community for many decades. In the tornado of 2008, Martha Brown’s sign was destroyed, and she suffered the fate of many that evening. Luckily, the building survived heavy damage. The EABF will be donating funds to help build a new sign that will be more interactive and hopes to be a beacon for the neighborhood.

The East Atlanta Business Association was chartered as a Georgia non-profit corporation in the early 1980′s and sought to synchronize the merchants and the East Atlanta community. Members of this business community founded the East Atlanta Strut and continue to make other major contributions to our great neighborhood.

EABF has provided funds to help EABA maintain a regular clean up program for the business district that will benefit everyone that visits the area. EABA plans to coordinate with SouthStar Community Development Corporation to bring their Clean Street Team to the East Atlanta Village and maintain it on a regular basis.

The FitWit Foundation, Inc. was founded in 2008 and modeled its programs after the boot camp style fitness camps that have become so popular in Atlanta. In fact, FitWit LLC was a major innovator in this fitness community and has donated instructors, equipment, and clients to help run the non-profit FitWit Foundation. EABF is happy to provide funds for Leaders for Life, which is a personal growth program, providing the opportunity for East Atlanta teens to develop important leadership skills and maintain personal fitness. Zoo Atlanta will host the Leaders for Life program and will give the participants a new environment in which they can become the people they truly are, away from the distractions of their daily surroundings.

The Friends of Brownwood Park have advocated for this beautiful, yet neglected park for years and are only steps away from several new amenities. The EABF will provide funds that will assist in adding drinking fountains and in designing new sidewalks. This treasure of green space sits in the middle of East Atlanta and is often forgotten by our residents and our City officials. Take a minute to visit Brownwood Park and see its vast potential.

The East Atlanta Kids Club has been providing a safe place to play and learn since 1998. Their activities are mainly split between Martha Brown United Methodist Church and the Brownwood Park Recreation Area. EABF is providing funds that the East Atlanta Kids Club will be able to use in their general fund. It’s a fund that has been hit hard with the economic downturn.

In 2005, the Sopo Bicycle Cooperative, Inc. opened its space in East Atlanta and its doors to anyone who might need help with bicycle repair and maintenance. Most of the shop’s users are East Atlanta residents, including children, residents of Brannan Towers, families, and students.

The EABF is providing funds to the Sopo Bicycle Cooperative so they can buy tools and material to keep their shop open and running through 2009, during which they expect to assist one thousand people.

Sylvester Cemetery is the oldest historic site in East Atlanta and has served the community since 1838. Today, there are more than 1,400 persons laid to rest here, including children, veterans of the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, WWI, WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. The roads in the cemetery were laid out about a hundred years ago and have suffered from erosion problems, some of them rather serious. There are several thousand feet of roads within the cemetery and all of them are dirt.

The EABF will be providing funds to assist the Sylvester Cemetery Foundation with repairing the roads providing better access for family and community.

In addition to assisting these non-profit agencies, the EABF has purchased equipment for the Atlanta Police Department, which has seen its own share of budgetary shortfalls. EABF donated twenty digital cameras which can be used by patrol officers to quickly and easily record evidence at the scene. EABF is in the process of purchasing two mountain bikes that can be used by police officers in focused patrols.

The 2010 East Atlanta Beer Festival is scheduled for May 22nd and promises to improve the selection and amenities for festival participants, including more porta potties, additional food choices and a VIP area. The Sixth Annual East Atlanta Beer Festival welcomes all who care about improving their community, one beer at a time.