12 Bars of Charity

Every year there is a well-known super fun Saint Louis bar crawl, the 12 Bars of Charity. This pub crawl was founded in the winter of 2012 with the idea of having a fun and low entry price point way for charities and their supporters to interact. I have always attended the bar crawl and would chose a different charity every year, but this year was a little different, it was the first year that one of my close friends, Emily Savage, took over the organization! I was able to help out and get a behind the scenes view of how much work and effort goes into putting this event together. I also got the opportunity to do a trail run bar crawl and photo shoot a month prior to the event. We started in Soulard at Molly’s and worked our way downtown to Paddy O’s, Sports & Social and ended at The Midwestern. On the weekend of the event, I helped prepare the crawlers for the event by selling the souvenir mugs and hats at the check in tent at Ball Park Village. The tent was filled with representatives from each of the involved charities, volunteers for 12 bars and the crawlers. It was so fun to meet and see all the faces responsible for raising over $1 million dollars for charities since its conception. 12 Bars of Charity was able to raise $332,501 for local charities in 2021! That is over $75,000 more than in 2019. This year, we had 20,738 participants, with 24 participating bars from Washington Avenue all the way to Soulard. There were millions of dollars of revenue generated throughout the city from this event and I am so proud of Emily and everything that 12 bars has accomplished and so happy to have been a part of it. Saint Louis is a truly wonderful community that shows up and shows out when it comes to supporting each other and those in need!

The following are the charities that participated in the event:

Gene Slay– Gene Slay’s Girls & Boys Club has provided afterschool and summer programming to underserved kids in St. Louis. They empower girls and boys in the St. Louis, especially those who need us most, to realize their physical, intellectual, and emotional potential. They serve over 700 kids a year.”

The Dudes- A group of local young professionals who have countless events around St. Louis. 100% of the proceeds raised by The Dudes are donated to St. Jude. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food – because all they should worry about is helping their child live.

Stray Rescue- Stray Rescue seeks out and takes in those who no other organization will help or would simply euthanize because they are too expensive to heal. They rescue the abandoned, beaten, bred, fought, injured, terrified, defeated and betrayed. These animals receive the second chance they deserve for health, home, commitment and love, no matter the time or cost. 

ALS- The ALS Association St. Louis Regional Chapter improves the lives of people living with ALS and their loved ones through services and education. They leave no stone unturned in search for the cure of this progressive neurodegenerative disease. Their mission is to discover treatments and a cure for ALS, and to serve, advocate for, and empower people affected by ALS to live their lives to the fullest. 

Make a Wish- Make-A-Wish Missouri & Kansas create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses during their darkest days. When a wish comes true, it creates strength, hope, and transformation in a child—and a community. A wish renews hope, uplifts spirits and encourages the belief in the impossible. 

World Pediatric Project–   World Pediatric Project’s mission is to heal children and advance pediatric healthcare in the world creating access for thousands of children to pediatric specialty care.

 They combine our local pediatric medical volunteers from St. Louis area children’s hospitals with that of the philanthropic community to provide pediatric surgical care and sustainable training programs, in 12 partner countries.

 STL Hero Network– supports St. Louis First Responders and Veterans by providing a network and business directory that connects communities to their local Heroes. Hiring a hero within the network is an opportunity to honor their dedication, commitment, and service. They are a nonprofit started by first responders and veterans for first responders and veterans, 

Young Friends of Kids with Cancer-Young Friends of Kids with Cancer is devoted to enriching the daily lives of children undergoing treatment for cancer. Their mission is to provide an enthusiastic and energetic base of young professional supporters and future leaders for Friends of Kids with Cancer.

The Final rankings were:

8^th – Gene Slay Girls and Boys Club

• 1,172 Attendees
• Raising- $22,372

7^th – Make a Wish

• 1,758 Attendees
• Raising-$31,177

6^th – World Pediatric Project

• 1,894 Attendees
• Raising- $33,202

5^th – ALS

• 2,114 Attendees
• Raising- $36,502

4^th – STL Hero Network

• 2,093 Attendees
• Raising $36,607

3^rd – YFOKWC

• 2,543 Attendees
• Raising $42,952

2^nd – The Dudes

• 3,058 Attendees
• Raising $50,692

1^st – Stray Rescue

• 4,945 Attendees
• Raising $78,997