Through your generous support, we raised enough at the event to make our yearly contribution of $250,000 to the Barry Winovich Endowed Chair for ALS Research at The Cleveland Clinic. As we close 2010, our research total will be $1,250,000! Thank you to all who attended; it indeed was a special night.

Thanks to all who contributed to this special night and supported our mission to fund ALS research.

Click here to download The Weight!

Featuring: Soulshine | Sonic Tonsil | Austin Walkin’ Cane |Kristine Jackson | The First Waltz All-star Jam Band

Click here to donate and receive our limited edition CD collection.

We’re happy to announce that we’ve launched our First Waltz website!

AJ Melaragno’s 5th Annual Memorial Scramble, held on Saturday May 22nd at the beautiful Willow Crest Golf Course in Oakbrook, IL, raised $48,500 to support ALS research.

Event organizer AJ Melaragno was proud of his golfers that more than doubled last year’s record fund-raising event (which raised over $22,000 for ALS research). Golfers were able to play in the scramble event while raising funds using various online tools supplied by Bright Side of the Road Foundation.

Event founder A.J. Melaragno explained his mission. “My good friend Barry Winovich was diagnosed with ALS, better known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, in March 2006,” he said. “But Barry will never give up. I’ve looked into his eyes and seen a passion to beat this disease. It’s my goal to use my Memorial Scramble to raise substantial funding for ALS research.”

A big Bright Side “Thank You” to all of our corporate sponsors who also helped to make this event possible.

Debbie Williams and her team of guest bartenders blew out all expectations with our fund-raising event at the Mint Nightclub in Los Angeles.

The dedicated group raised $28,957 in tips to be used to support ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) research initiatives.

Special congratulations go out to our top five individual fund-raisers for the night:

Greg Hester
Nicole Privett
Ken Koprowski
Lee Pasteris
Debbie Williams

Thanks to everyone who attended this fun event with lots of laughter, cocktails, and love. Our founder Barry Winovich was in attendance, and he loved greeting everyone. From old co-workers to new friends on the West Coast, from current friends to old high school buddies, Barry valued each and every one of you who found the time to stop by and support his mission.

Thank you as well to Bright Side’s new celebrity friends who added some Hollywood sizzle to the night: Brian Van Holt of ABC’s Cougar Town, Sarah Lancaster of NBC’s Chuck, and Trina Dolenz of VH1’s Tool Academy.

An especially warm thank you also goes out to everyone who couldn’t attend, but found it in their heart to share a “virtual tip” online with their favorite bartender.

And to our team of guest bartenders; we love you and we appreciate your efforts more than you can ever know. Our success is entirely your success, and you will always be a special part of Bright Side!

Don’t forget, our bartenders’ tip jars will remain open for a few more days! Click to send them a virtual tip online.

The ongoing struggle to find a cure for ALS is a daunting task, but we won’t give up if you don’t give up.

Together we will make a brighter tomorrow for those afflicted with this disease.

Barry Winovich and the Bright Side of the Road Foundation

To view the individuals photos, click here.

The Plain Dealer and Cleveland.com also posted photos and event coverage here.

Thank you for being part of our rock & roll fairy tale that was the First Waltz  at the House of Blues.

It was another incredible night of live music, celebration and fellowship. Watch for our photos of the night to be posted on the website very soon!!!

We value your continued financial support of our mission, but it is your love and shared commitment to our dream that allows us to bravely walk on the bright side of the road.

Forever Grateful,
Barry Winovich and the Bright Side of the Road Foundation

In March, 2008 I read an article in Golf for Women magazine about the LPGA tournament player, Cristie Kerr and her “Birdies for Breast Cancer” foundation. Kerr counts her birdies and donates a specific amount for each, to finding the cure for breast cancer.  I was immediately inspired and started my own birdies program to donate to Kerr’s foundation.  I approached my family and friends to ask for their sponsorship, and in total I made 37 birdies for my 2008 golf season and was able to donate over $1,000 to her foundation.

In February, 2009 my grandmother, Carol Dovishaw, was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) otherwise known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. ALS is an incurable, fatal, neuromuscular disease. The cause of ALS remains unclear and no cure exists. When I found out about my grandma’s diagnosis I knew I wanted to make finding the cure to ALS my permanent birdie charity.

I’m now working with the Bright Side Foundation which assists in funding research for The Cleveland Clinic.  All proceeds I earn from my 2009, Birdies Fore ALS, will go directly to The Cleveland Clinic, my Grandma Carol’s hospital.

Your donation may not be able to help my grandmother, but we can make a difference and help others. This fatal disease needs to be stopped, so I ask for your support.

Please consider making a one time donation or a per birdie donation.  Click here to learn more and contribute to my mission!

My season will conclude at the Ohio State High School Golf Tournament on October 23 – 24.  YES, I WILL be at States this year!

Thanks to all of our friends who spent on night on the Bright Side of the Road at Chicago’s Green Dolphin Street. It was another fun evening of cocktails, hearty appetizers, and damn fine blues as we joined together to support the research initiatives of The Barry Winovich Endowed Chair for ALS Research at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation.

Join us at Green Dolphin Street for a fun evening of cocktails, hearty appetizers, and damn fine blues as we join together to support the research initiatives of The Barry Winovich Endowed Chair for ALS Research at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation.

Award-winning blues guitarist  and vocalist Austin “Walkin” Cane will perform his blues gumbo repertoire that blends in jazz, folk, soul & rock ‘n’ roll. The evening will also feature a special musical performance by Craig McConnell and Kevin Kruzenski (fresh from their Asian concert tour).

FRIDAY MARCH 20TH, 7:00PM - 11:00PM, GREEN DOLPHIN STREET

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS

Accommodations available at the Courtyard Marriott Chicago Downtown/River North

PROCEEDS TO FUND ALS (COMMONLY KNOWN AS LOU GEHRIG’S DISEASE) RESEARCH