Maybe it will be the char-pit barbecued chicken or the ribs or the pulled pork sandwiches that make you stop by PJ’s BAR-B-Q in Saratoga Springs on Friday night. Maybe you’ll stop in to PJ’s to see Elvis perform at 7 p.m. Regardless of what brings you out to PJ’s on Friday, Aug. 18, Carol Hotaling, The Yellow Ribbon Lady, is asking customers to bring along with them a donation for the troops. Hotaling will be on site from 6:30 p.m. 9 p.m. collecting both food items and monetary donations to support Operation Adopt-A-Soldier.
We should always keep in mind our troops and their families,` said Hotaling. `They’re still going over there.`
Hotaling is seen regularly around the region seeking donations from individuals and businesses to provide needed items to the troops stationed overseas. She said items needed now include: beef jerky, Slim Jims, boxed fruit, nuts, cheese and crackers, food bars, popcorn, peanut butter and jelly, and tuna pouches. Non-food items such as phone cards, eye drops and baby wipes are also suggested. While donations of items are absolutely necessary, Hotaling noted that Operation Adopt-A-Soldier spends a tremendous amount of money each month on postage to send out boxes of items to the soldiers on their list.
`Postage is running about $3,000 a month,` said Hotaling. She will be selling magnets, T-shirts, pins and bracelets in an effort to raise money, but will also accept financial donations.
This `Support Our Troops` fundraiser began when Hotaling approached PJ’s BAR-B-Q owner, PJ Davis, about donating some of his PJ’s Crystal Beach Loganberry drinks. The discussion ended with Davis offering the restaurant on Route 9 as a location to host a fundraiser.
`We’ve always been involved with the community,` said Davis, who added, `I didn’t have to think twice about it.`
For years, the family operation has offered free meal vouchers to the nurses of Saratoga Springs Hospital, Saratoga Springs School District teachers, administrators and counselors as well as the government officials of the city and the city police, firemen, and EMTs. That dedication to their local community has resulted in the restaurant being recognized by the National Restaurant Association.
`We hope that people will support our effort and bring stuff,` said Davis. Hotaling also asked Donny `Elvis` Romines to perform. Romines has been an Elvis impersonator for the past 18 years, and said he was happy to donate his talent for the event.
`This Wednesday is the anniversary of Elvis’ death,` said Romines, who noted that his hour-long show would be a tribute to The King. `I have a lot of fun with my shows. I want people to have fun too.`
His show begins at 7 p.m., but Davis will be serving as DJ before and after the show, playing music from the baby boom years (1946-1964).
The Support Your Troops Fundraiser will also feature a raffle. Local businesses like Jim’s Citgo in Ballston, Saratoga Flag, Dunkin Donuts, The Silo, Harbor House Fish Fry, Jan’s Florist, Peanut Principle and Albany-Saratoga Speedway have all donated items for the raffle.
So when you show up at PJ’s BAR-B-Q on Friday night, look for Carol Hotaling. She’ll likely be wearing the bright yellow T-shirt that identifies her as `The Yellow Ribbon Lady` and she will be near a van, donated by Jack Byrne Ford and Mercury. Byrne donated the van so that Hotaling would have a means to store and transport the donations brought in by customers.
`It’s very important to remember our troops,` said Hotaling. `For the people living here, we need to ask ‘what is our freedom worth?’“