Smokey´s House of BBQ Fundraiser for military families, June 22
Matilda "Miss Tilly" Ahearn, 85, will be guest of honor at Smokey´s House of BBQ in Oxnard from 5-7pm, June 25.
Guests visiting Smokey´s House of BBQ in Oxnard on June 25 can also pay special tribute to honor Matilda "Miss Tilly" Ahearn, founder of the Military Families Food Bank at Naval Base Ventura County, for 28 years of dedicated service to local military families.
Mike Christian, founder of Smokey´s BBQ, also is hosting a fundraiser to benefit the food bank June 22-25. Guests donating $10 to the organization at any of their services – breakfast, lunch or dinner – on these days will receive a $10 gift card for a future visit to the restaurant.
Ahearn, a resident of Oxnard since 1966, recently was presented with a special Congressional Recognition from Rep. Elton Gallegly, R-Simi Valley, the Norm Lueck Award for Public Service, and Paul Harris Award for Community Service for her tireless efforts in securing donations and support of the food bank from the general public, and local clubs and service organizations.
"I started distributing to military families and individuals on the base out of my station wagon in 1982 with my two grandchildren and 50 cases of cheese given to us by another nonprofit organization," Ahearn says. "My grandson offered to blocks of cheese to everyone and within a few hours we had given it all away."
Ahearn says she was encouraged in the early years and supported by the Fleet Reserve Association and Family Services Center at Naval Base Ventura County.
"We have so many fine men and women helping us who load and unload trucks, stock our food bank and are really my right and left hands," she says. "I am very proud and grateful to everyone for their support over the years and will continue taking care of our military families, who do so much for our country."
"We appreciate our local military folks and encourage everyone to come in and greet Miss Tilly," Christian says. "She is a true hero and we are proud to honor her."
A live radio remote with Jon Cowsill from KHAY will take place from 5-7pm to liven the celebration.
Smokey´s BBQ is at 1201 S. Victoria Avenue on the corner of Wooley Road in Oxnard. For more information call 805-985-7125, or visit the website at www.smokeyshouseofbbq.com.

