North Ridgeville Band Boosters connect with former band member now brewing beer in Elyria for unique fundraiser

ELYRIA — Looking for a creative way to raise some money, the North Ridgeville Band Boosters turned to a familiar face. Former marching band member Tim O'Neill is now the owner and head brewer at Unplugged Brewing Co. in Elyria, so it was a natural fit for the boosters to team up with the brewery for a unique fundraiser. The result, a custom "We're With The Band" beer, will debut during a launch party from 6-9 p.m. Thursday at Unplugged Brewing Co., 201 East Bridge St., Elyria. The brewery prepared 60 cases of We're With The Band beers Monday, and proceeds from each sale will be donated to the Band Boosters. Anyone interested in supporting the fundraiser can attend, according to North Ridgeville Band Boosters President Kelly Smolik. She said the Thyme Traveler food truck also will be at the fundraiser, and a portion of their sales will also be donated to the boosters organization. A DJ and karaoke will provide entertainment. The Band Boosters is a volunteer group that Smolik said has helped fund a number of items to keep the Ranger Marching Band looking sharp and sounding good on the field — new instruments for students to rent, uniforms, food during football games for both North Ridgeville band members and the opposing team's band, entrance fees for band shows and fun activities for students. The collaboration with the brewery is an opportunity to attract band supporters "who haven't really come to the Band Boosters meetings" in the past, Smolik said. While the label on the We're With The Band beer depicts North Ridgeville Ranger Marching Band members performing on the football field, the boosters organization supports all of the school district's bands from the younger grades all the way through high school. The fundraiser is connected with the Band Boosters and not sponsored by North Ridgeville Schools, Smolik emphasized. O'Neill said he was a percussionist in the Ranger Marching Band from 2007 to 2011, playing the snare drum. We're With The Band is a kolsch, a German style of beer O'Neill said should have "wide appeal." It also will be sold in-house, which he hopes will help raise additional money for the boosters. Contact Dylan Reynolds at (440) 329-7123 or dreynolds@chroniclet.com. Follow him on Twitter @drey1357.