Support a vital children’s agency while enjoying great blues music and delectable Lake of the Ozarks barbeque at the first-ever Blues and BBQ. 
The event will be held from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 30, at the Osage Beach Elks Lodge on Highway 54.
Sponsored by the Lake of the Ozarks Blues Society, the event will benefit Kids’ Harbor Child Advocacy Center, an Osage Beach-based organization that provides a child-friendly atmosphere for children who may be victims of neglect, sexual, physical and emotional abuse. Last year, the agency helped more than 390 children.
Tickets for Blues and BBQ will be $20 in advance or $25 at the door. The ticket price will include music by former Ozark Mountain Daredevils keyboardist Buddy Brayfield, a physician and co-founder of Kids Harbor, along with his band Keyed Up.
Member musicians of the Lake of the Ozarks Blues Society will also be on hand for what’s sure to be a memorable jam session. 
Bandana’s, Wobbly Boots Roadhouse, Somebody Else’s BBQ and Hy-Vee will donate the barbeque and other dishes.
Kids’ Harbor Community Coordinator Brooklyn Braun notes the fundraiser will help the agency continue to provide forensic interviews, advocate services, specialized exams, counseling and other services throughout a 10-county area. 
Kids’ Harbor staff also work with local and regional law enforcement agencies, as well as, legal, medical and mental health experts to evaluate, treat, prevent and prosecute child abuse. 
The center also operates a satellite office in St. Robert, serving the Fort Leonard Wood area.
In addition, Braun coordinates a prevention program that uses a lively puppet show to teach school-age children about sexual abuse.  Last year, she presented the program to more than 1,200 children.
“We thought this would be a fun event for the Lake area and everybody just took off and ran with it,” Braun said. “We hope to make Blues & BBQ an annual event.”
For more information, please contact Kids’ Harbor at 348-6886 or email kidsharbor@charter.net.