Ribfest generates $712,000 for area charities

More than 50 Naperville-area charities that help fight child abuse will receive a portion of the haul from last year's Naperville Exchange Club Ribfest at a ceremony next month.

In all, Ribfest organizers will divvy up $602,000 among 51 charities at the luncheon Feb. 6 in Lisle, said 2009 Naperville Exchange Club President Brett Flickinger. Another $110,000 will go to the club's own "parent-mentor" program operated through NCO Youth and Family Services in Naperville.

In addition, $51,000 was distributed to organizations that supplied volunteers who helped stage the annual Fourth of July weekend festival at Naperville's Knoch Park.

Flickinger said 57 organizations sought money from the club. Funding requests that were approved range between $35,000 and $2,500.

Club members still are putting together this year's festival, which will run from July 2 through July 5. Organizers said they have not signed any acts to perform at this year's Ribfest, which last year drew headliners Ted Nugent, Joan Jett and Trace Adkins.