Community members are coming together to support Brian Stevens, owner of Company B BBQ in Byrnes Mill and president of the board of directors for the Open Door Animal Sanctuary in House Springs, after he had a major heart attack last month.
A trivia night will be held at the High Ridge Elks Lodge, 2808 Old Hunning Road, on Saturday, May 3, to help pay for Stevens’ medical costs. Doors will open at 5 p.m. and the trivia starts at 6 p.m.
It costs $30 a person to take part in the trivia night, and people may reserve a table for eight. The event will include a cash bar, silent auction, 50/50 raffle and other games. For more information or to reserve a spot, email Tracie Quackenbush, executive director at Open Door, at opendoorcats@aol.com.
Quackenbush said Stevens was hospitalized on March 4 after having a heart attack while at work. He was in intensive care for a week and a half and is beginning to slowly recover.
“It’s going to be a slow recovery,” Quackenbush said. “Brian does not have any insurance, so we put together a GoFundMe page, and then we’re having a trivia night for him to raise money and help him with his recovery.”
Quackenbush said she’s not at all surprised by the recent outpouring of support for Stevens, an active member of the community.
Stevens’ community service
Stevens has served on the animal sanctuary’s Board of Directors for at least 15 years and has been the president for the last seven years.
Byrnes Mill Police Chief Frank T. Selvaggio said Stevens’ restaurant regularly supports the Police Department, supplying families in need with Christmas hams as part of the Byrnes Mill Police Department’s Shop with a Hero program and donating food for the Department’s National Night Out and car show that benefits the Special Olympics.
“He’s more than a businessman in this community,” Selvaggio said. “He’s a very caring and giving person.”
Quackenbush said Stevens is instrumental in coordinating Open Door’s fundraisers, and Lynese Cargill, Open Door’s director of development, said Stevens’ restaurant donates a catered meal for up to 40 people as part of the animal sanctuary’s annual auction.
Stevens also rescues and adopts kittens and volunteers about 20 hours each month at the sanctuary, according to his GoFundMe page.
“Everybody knows and loves Brian because he does so much for the community,” Quackenbush said.
Company B BBQ
Stevens opened Company B BBQ, 4583 Hunter Lane, in Byrnes Mill 19 years ago.
“I encourage people to go to support (Stevens’) restaurant because he’s been so supportive of the community,” Selvaggio said. “It’s good to give back to somebody who has given through all the years he’s been here.”
Selvaggio said a collection jar is available at Company B BBQ for those wanting to donate to Stevens directly.
The restaurant is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
To donate to the GoFundMe page, search “Help Brian Stevens Recover & Save Company B BBQ.” As of Monday, $8,580 of the $200,000 goal had been raised through the page.