Todd Ruggere Drinks One Beer In Every MA Town—For Charity
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
The ultimate marathon for charity: Todd Ruggere is drinking one beer in every Massachusetts town--all 351 of them.
That’s right. This year, Ruggere is set to visit every town in the state to drink a beer at a local bar and hopefully get a donation towards children’s cancer research. The challenge is this: 351 beers in 351 different towns in 365 days.
So how did Ruggere get the idea for this charity fundraiser?
“I knew there were 351 towns in Massachusetts, and one day I was trying to name them all, but I could only name about 150,” said Ruggere. “So I got the idea that I would visit each town in the state and learn their names, and have a beer while I’m there. Then I thought that I should raise money while I’m at it.”
Curiosity led to an idea, and thus Ruggere’s charity beer tour across the state was born. All the money raised is going towards the leading children’s cancer institute in Boston.
“I don’t have any one in my family with cancer. I’ve just always wanted to help out. Whenever I see the commercials with the kids with no hair—those commercials get to me.”
Overflowing results
Thus far, Ruggere’s success has exceeded expectations.
“My original goal was to raise $2,000. But I’ve passed that; I’ve raised $9,000 so far. Now I’m hoping to raise $25,000.”
If you are looking to meet Ruggere at your town’s favorite bar, there’s a good chance you still can, as his challenge is not yet halfway completed. Coming up, he’ll be at Hugh O’Neill’s Pub in Malden on April 20th, at Bootleggers in Lunenburg on April 26th, and at Josiah Smith Tavern in Weston on May 3rd.
“I’ve been to 126 towns already,” said Ruggere on Monday. The first town to get checked off the list? “I started with the town I live in, which is Grafton.”
From friends and family to random strangers living halfway across the state, the reaction to this idea has been extremely enthusiastic. “Every single person has thought it is the best idea,” said Ruggere. “I’ve gotten no negative responses. Everyone is wishing that they had thought of it first.”
Ruggere’s crazy scheme may have started small, but now it seems that everyone in Massachusetts has heard of it. “People keep writing and calling me. I get calls every day,” said Ruggere. “It’s become a huge event at every town; there is usually a crowd of people at the bar. People want to meet me, take photos with me. There are people who call me who live in towns that don’t have bars, but they want me to go to their house and have a beer with them. I’ve had beer with a mule in Mendon. I have 75 places that I’m going to that have donations already waiting for me.”
Ruggere also says that while raising money for children’s cancer research is most important, the second most important thing is getting help from all the people who contact him with bar recommendations.
“I still have 30, no, closer to 40 towns with no idea where I’m going yet, mostly the western towns. Some are really obscure towns—there’s not even a zip code or a Dunkin Donuts. I’m just hoping I meet someone who tells me what bar to go to.”
As for the beer involved in this fundraiser, Ruggere is playing favorites.
“I’ve chosen to drink Sam Adams at every bar because it’s my favorite beer,” said Ruggere. “I’m trying all sorts of Sam Adams though—Sam Adams Lager, Sam Adams Cherry Wheat—but I’m sticking to Sam Adams.”
To check out Todd Ruggere’s progress or to donate to the cause, make sure to visit his website. We will have to wait and see if his charity beer tour will spark others of its kind.
“I’m leaving my options open,” said Ruggere when asked about future charity fundraisers. “Maybe I’ll have a beer in every state.”
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