The management and employees at World of Beer and Moe’s Southwest Grill in Land O’Lakes hope that patrons spend a lot of money on Feb. 8. But it’s not an attempt to maximize profits.
Instead, it’s a benefit event designed to help a local family after a horrific loss.
Chad Oulson was shot and killed Jan. 13 in a dispute at the Cobb Theatres Grove 16 & CineBistro movie theater in Wesley Chapel. The story made national news and a suspect is in custody. But now his widow, Nicole, and their young daughter, Alexis, must continue without him.
World of Beer and Moe’s, located on Collier Parkway, decided that hosting an event to raise money would be a good way to help.
“We want to be tied in with our community, and what better way than to help out in this tragic situation,” said Amanda Edwards, general manager at World of Beer Land O’Lakes. While the tavern has no direct ties to the Oulson family, they were enthusiastic to host the event when contacted by Edwards’ booking agent.
They hope to raise at least $5,000 for the family, Edwards said.
To reach that goal, World of Beer is donating $1 from every draft beer sold from 7 p.m. until 1 a.m. that evening. They also will have an auction for a gift basket containing World of Beer and other brewery items.
In addition, there will be a raffle in which half the money will go to the winner and the other half to the Oulson family.
Moe’s Southwest Grill also is contributing to the event by pledging 25 percent of its sales for the entire day.
“I grew up in Lutz (and) Land O’Lakes my whole life. It’s such a small, tight-knit community. It’s all about family out here,” said Ryan Campbell, general manager of Moe’s. “We’ve always stuck together, so why not stick together in a time of hurt?” Campbell is the son of Guy Campbell, who owns both businesses involved in the event.
The benefit falls on a busy night for Moe’s, which should lead to a larger donation for the family, Campbell said. But his young employees also have helped get the word out to make sure the evening is as busy as possible.
“They’ve all been passing out flyers at school, trying to get people on board and trying to get people in so we can raise as much money as possible,” Campbell said.
While helping out is important to Edwards, as a member of the community it also hits close to home in other ways. Oulson left behind a daughter just shy of her second birthday. Edwards, a mother of two girls herself, delivered a son just last week. She said that the family’s loss made an impression on her, and it became important to help from a personal standpoint.
“Being a mother, I couldn’t imagine being left without a husband, and I know the monetary burden of a death in the family,” she said.
The event begins at 7 p.m., and patrons must be at least 21 to attend. Live music will be performed by Keko & Mo’ Gravy.
World of Beer is located at 2081 Collier Parkway, and Moe’s Southwest Grill is located at 2087 Collier Parkway.
For more information, call (813) 948-9400.
If you go
WHAT: Fundraiser for Oulson family
WHEN: Feb. 8, beginning at 7 p.m.
WHERE: World of Beer, 2081 Collier Parkway, Land O’ Lakes; Moe’s Southwest Grill, 2087 Collier Parkway, Land O’ Lakes
INFO: (813) 948-9400
Update: This story was clarified on 2/19/14 to identify the booking agent as belonging to Amanda Edwards.
Published Feb. 5, 2014
