Pro Tips for the Angels for Ashley St. Jude Cookout

The WBKR/Window World St. Jude Radiothon has dealt with curveballs in the past and came through with flying colors. It almost happened again in 2023, but all the winter weather nonsense happened early in the week.

So now, all systems are GO another St. Jude/Angels for Ashley Cookout at Wesleyan Park Plaza in front of Shoe Stop.

And once again, we're expecting lots of excitement as Jerry Morris and the Angels for Ashley Cooking Team prepare for two days of phenomenal fundraising, and in the best way possible...lots of delicious MEAT.

So while your mouth waters, here are some pro tips for purchasing meat from Jerry Morris and the Angels for Ashley Cooking Team:

FIRST, THE PRICES

Boston Butts are $35; chickens are $12; racks of ribs are $25. As always, certain items are subject to availability, depending on the time of day.

NO DEBIT OR CREDIT CARDS

Please bring cash or a check (made out to Angels for Ashley) to purchase your meat; the cooking team will not have a card machine available.

IF POSSIBLE, DON'T WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE

This can be a sticky issue with some, I realize, but as I mentioned above, availability is sometimes an issue in the waning hours of the cookout. And despite the fact that the Angels for Ashley Cooking Team has prepared 600 chickens, 400 Boston butts, and 350 racks of ribs for Friday, they prepared a lot more than that for Thursday and SOLD OUT. In fact, the ribs and chickens were gone earlier than I'd ever seen on day one. This amazing meat will go quickly, so come and get it.

'FRIENDS OF JERRY'

It is not uncommon at all for Jerry Morris to ask certain of those who come by Shoe Stop to purchase meat to become a "Friend of Jerry." That means he will ask you for a $100 donation to St. Jude. He's been doing it for years.

THINK ABOUT THE FUTURE (SPECIFICALLY, THE SUPER BOWL)

Typically, when we have the Angels for Ashley Cookout for St. Jude, it's at the beginning of Super Bowl Weekend, but this year the Big Game is a week later. But we're still encouraging you to snag at least one Boston butt and freeze it until the big day. Vickie Morris tells me that the butts freeze beautifully. The ribs and chickens? Not so much.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO LEAVE YOUR VEHICLE

We typically have 'em lined up halfway around Wesleyan Park Plaza. There will be guides to tell you how far to pull up. Someone will take your order at your car window, take your money, and deliver the goods. Curbside service at its finest.

NO PLATE LUNCHES

The cookout did away with plate lunches in 2021 because of COVID-19, but Jerry learned from that experience that he could sell MORE meat and raise more money for St. Jude WITHOUT the plate lunches. Hey, the butts, chicken, and ribs are no less amazing.

I think that about covers it. We'll see you at Shoe Stop in Wesleyan Park Plaza Friday for the big Angels for Ashley St. Jude Cookout.

EDITOR'S NOTE: To become a St. Jude Partner-in-Hope, it's $19 per month on a credit or debit card. The number to call is 1-800-201-8883. And when you become a St. Jude Partner-in-Hope, you'll receive a new St. Jude t-shirt.