The Oct. 25 Brats and Beer charity dinner for the House of Mercy food pantry and thrift store raised $1,300 in donations, as attendees enjoyed a German-style meal and live music from two bands.

The Father Kelley Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians teamed with our brothers from the George Brent Council of the Knights of Columbus to hold this charity dinner for the second consecutive year.

Staffers from the House of Mercy set up an information table at the entrance to the event to solicit volunteers and sign up volunteers.

The local Shriners orchestra led off with the first hour of live music, followed by the jazz band Clearspace. Both groups performed for free to express their support for the good works the House of Mercy does for the greater Manassas community.

The grilled Bratwurst dinner featuring German-style potato salad, coleslaw, giant hot pretzels, and a hot apple dessert with ice cream was prepared by a kitchen team led by Mark Zahuranek, joined by Dave Riley, James Dagley, and Patrick Sullivan.

Monsignor Lee Roos, the pastor of All Saints, was awarded a plaque from the AOH at the dinner for his longstanding support of our division. He received the Project Saint Patrick Award, which recognizes the division’s financial support for seminarians in the Arlington Catholic Diocese.

The House of Mercy food pantry and thrift store serving needy families in the greater Manassas area will receive all net proceeds from the event. 

Vince Fitzpatrick is on the left. Jack Southard is on the right. Both are past presidents of the division.