by Greg McCorkle

On a beautiful Saturday afternoon in Fremont hundreds of people gathered at the Fremont Foundry to celebrate Bacon and Bourbon, showcasing the burgeoning craft distilling movement of the Puget Sound region and the culinary expertise of some of the best restaurants in Seattle.

Pairing smokey malty beverages with bacon infused entrees was the main reason to enjoy this event, but there were underlying themes that permeated the day.

Organized by radio stations 99.9fm KISW and 107.7.fm THE END, the event was to help raise money for Motley Zoo, a non profit, all volunteer organization dedicated to placing pets into homes that shelters could not handle.

Motley Zoo volunteer Christi Dickerhofe explained that shelters have a hard time placing high needs pets in good homes. Some of those reasons include pets that are pregnant or need surgeries. The funds Motley Zoo raises go to financing needed surgeries and taking care of new born pets until they can be adopted. Last year alone Motley Zoo placed 1500+ pets to loving homes since 2009.

Motley Zoo, located in Redmond, Washington, also runs a doggy day care and dog training classes. Both of which help fund Motley Zoo's foster program. Dickerhofe also holds a pet portrait painting night. The next pet portrait session is 3 pm, March 22nd at Motley Zoo. She provides all of the art materials and expertise for pet owners to create a portrait of their much loved family members. She charges $50.00 for the class. 100% of the money raised goes directly to Motley Zoo.

I spoke with Mike Sherlock of Fremont Mischief Distillery and was surprised to find out that Mischief also donates money to several charities. He told me that Mischief donates %10 of their pre-tax earnings directly to several organizations. Monies from sales of Mischief Whiskey go to the Freedom Isn't Free Foundation supporting fallen and wounded soldiers families. Each bottle has an actual dog tag of a soldier that has fallen or received a Purple Heart. Mike felt honored that KISW chose Fremont Mischief from 80 other distilleries to partner with them for this worthy cause. From sales of their white spirits, Gin and Vodka, %10 are donated to the Domestic Violence hotline of Snohomish County. Sales of John Jacob Rye Whiskey supports the Policeman’s Benevolence Fund and The Fireman’s Fund receives donations from sales of Workers #9 Vodka that helped provide new coats for first graders whose families could not afford them.

“We feel that all of these are important foundations and it's nice to give back to the community. Community helps us and what a good way to give back.”