ADRIAN — Ten years ago, what began as a casual conversation between friends has become one of Lenawee County’s most heartfelt annual traditions. On Saturday, Dec. 6, the Adrian Eagles will host the Tim T. Cagle Memorial Kookin’ for Kids, a grassroots barbecue-themed fundraiser that has now raised nearly $300,000 to support children and families in the local child welfare system.

For co-founder Lisa Millyard, the first event in 2016 feels like both yesterday and a lifetime ago.

“We didn’t really know what we were doing,” Millyard said. “We just jumped in because we wanted to help.”

 Millyard, a 27-year veteran of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services — including 17 years in Child Protective Services — teamed up with her husband Doug, who was adopted at birth, and their longtime close friend, Tim Cagle, who had adopted his daughter as an infant and was raising her on his own. Each of them carried a personal connection to adoption, foster care and family support.

Cagle, who died in January, was the one who ultimately made the push. 

“One day he just said, ‘Let’s do something,’ ” Millyard said. 

That first year, with little more than borrowed space, a donated barbecue, a band, and a handful of raffle baskets, the trio raised an astonishing $12,000. They quickly realized there was both need and momentum — and that the community was eager to help.

Since then, Kookin’ for Kids has grown into a signature local fundraiser built on generosity, volunteer help, and low overhead. Over nine years, Millyard said, the group has raised $300,000, including $40,000 last year alone, when they served 327 meals at the dinner-and-auction evening. Even during the worst of the pandemic, in 2020, the group found a way to continue — converting the event into a socially distanced drivethrough meal pickup to ensure no break in support.

Funds raised are turned into $500 gift cards donated through TLC, which waives processing fees. The staff from DHHS then shop for families and youth involved in foster care, Child Protective Services, juvenile justice and adoption support. Remaining funds are used throughout the year in what Millyard calls “flex funding,” covering urgent needs that fall between traditional service gaps — ranging from sensory or adaptive sports equipment to autism camp, clothing, hygiene needs, or hotel stays for relatives traveling from out of state to attend custody hearings.

“The overhead is incredibly low,” Millyard said. “Almost everything is donated — the meat, many of the sides, raffle items, baskets, the venue. The money people give actually goes to the kids and families.”

The behind-the-scenes team, Millyard said, deserves as much credit as the community members who show up each year. Barbecue masters Nick LaTour and Justin Francis anchor the cooking operation, continuing the tradition Cagle himself helped start. Shelly Auld, Millyard’s bestie, has been a steady force since year one — gathering donations, building raffle baskets, managing setup and providing emotional support when the planning becomes overwhelming.

The event now features multiple fundraising layers: a silent auction, a fishbowl-style ticket auction, door-prize Visa gift cards, and a major-item raffle. Last year’s grand prize included a Blackstone grill and tabletop griddle donated by longtime friends of Doug.

This year’s event is particularly significant. Cagle’s death on Jan. 12 makes the 2025 event the first without him. His name was formally added as a memorial designation in tribute to the heart and purpose he brought to the work.

“I get emotional when I talk about it,” Millyard said. “We promised Tim that we would never let this die. We would keep it going as long as we could. His passion and his love for kids are still at the center of this.”

Asked what she has learned after a decade, Millyard didn’t hesitate.

“People underestimate their ability to make a difference,” she said. “You don’t always have to know exactly what you’re doing — sometimes you just have to act on the idea and trust that others will meet you there.”

The 10th annual Kookin’ for Kids is set for Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Adrian Eagles, 2570 W. Beecher Road. Doors open at 3, with the “All you can eat” barbecue served from 5-7 p.m. A silent auction, fishbowl auction and raffle drawings follow. Tickets are $20 and available at the door.