Read

Watch

Backyard Fundraiser Grows to Raise $3 Million | Little Ways: Fundraise

Creator:
Published:
January 29, 2024
January 19, 2018
Here's how the Tampa Pig Jig got started, as a backyard fundraiser.

When their friend, Will, was diagnosed with a serious and rare kidney disease, Chris Whitney and his friends knew they needed to do something to help and the Tampa Pig Jig was born. Three years later, they have raised millions of dollars for Nephcure Kidney International in Will's honor.

Video Transcript

Chris Whitney: My name's Chris Whitney, and I started an event called the Tampa Pig Jig. And it started as a simple, backyard barbecue.

At the same time our good buddy, Will, had gone through a kidney transplant. Ryan just said, "Why don't we do this for Will?"

A few weeks later, we had about 100 of our closest friends and family over to Vince's backyard, and four sponsors, and we had some live music and some great food, and everybody had an absolute blast. We raised about $7,000.

Now, in seven years, there's over $3 million for an organization called NephCure Kidney International. We started from day one, even before we decided to do this for Will, and ultimately for NephCure. Let's have an event that people want to come to and have fun.

I think everybody has a desire to be a part of something larger than them, has a desire to do something good. Pair those things together, and make it fun, then you've got something, and the sky is the limit. That's really been what's made us successful.

Creators:
Grotto
Published:
January 29, 2024
January 19, 2018
On a related note...
The Beauty of Doing Nothing

The Beauty of Doing Nothing

Allison Barrick

7-Language Radio Show in Zambia Spurs COVID-19 Awareness

7-Language Radio Show in Zambia Spurs COVID-19 Awareness

Grotto Shares

Serving Families in Need at Center for the Homeless | Little Ways: Play

Serving Families in Need at Center for the Homeless | Little Ways: Play

Grotto

10 Charities That Need Your Online Advocacy

10 Charities That Need Your Online Advocacy

Maria Walley

The Promise of “One Day, You’ll Laugh About This"

The Promise of “One Day, You’ll Laugh About This"

Patricia Valderrama

7 Tips for Packing for a Big Move

7 Tips for Packing for a Big Move

Marye Colleen Larme

‘Meating Friday’: A New Easter Tradition

‘Meating Friday’: A New Easter Tradition

Ken Hallenius

Grotto Talks with Bishop Bambera about Immigration

Grotto Talks with Bishop Bambera about Immigration

Grotto

Is It Time to Go to Therapy?

Is It Time to Go to Therapy?

Julia Hogan-Werner

Good and Decent S2 | E1: Gratitude Despite

Good and Decent S2 | E1: Gratitude Despite

Grotto

The Evening Review: Taking Notes on Your Day to Stay on Track

The Evening Review: Taking Notes on Your Day to Stay on Track

Grotto

5 Strategies for Reclaiming Your Peace

5 Strategies for Reclaiming Your Peace

Allison Barrick

Easter Celebrations by Grotto Network

Easter Celebrations by Grotto Network

Grotto

Free Download: Guide to Making Meaningful Resolutions

Free Download: Guide to Making Meaningful Resolutions

Grotto

Feeling Tedious? Change Your Perspective of Time

Feeling Tedious? Change Your Perspective of Time

Dan Masterton

Pizzeria Serves Up Second Chances in Cleveland

Pizzeria Serves Up Second Chances in Cleveland

Grotto

How an Amazing Concert Became a Spiritual Experience

How an Amazing Concert Became a Spiritual Experience

Isaac Huss

Letters Bring Healing & Community For Those in Prison

Letters Bring Healing & Community For Those in Prison

Grotto

"The Messages We Receive"

"The Messages We Receive"

Brett Robinson

Why This 360° Video of Bryce Canyon Inspires Us

Why This 360° Video of Bryce Canyon Inspires Us

Grotto Shares

newsletter

We’d love to be pals.

Sign up for our newsletter, and we’ll meet you in your inbox each week.