Over the years Micki and Larry, owners of the Sports Pub in Copperopolis, have been huge supporters seemingly every Copperopolis community project and fund that has come through town, from youth sports to blood drive, chili cook-offs for science camp and poker runs for local families in need. All this…from their hearts.
In 1998 when Micki and Larry Phillips purchased the Sports Pub they took over a small wine and beer bar with a small but loyal local clientelle. Quickly realizing they have not only found a niche as a great local place to hang out and be with friends to play pool, darts, listen to music (live some nights) watch a game or two, but also they have discovered this community has a huge heart. On their own and with the help of some of their clients they have hosted car shows, chili cook offs, 50/50 raffles, cancer benefits, car shows, sear point race car benefit, all to benefit the local community. They have raised funds for kids that couldn't afford to play sports, the Volunteer Fire Department, kids camp, multiple families in need, the Food Pantry, sixth grade science camp, and more.
With the expense of sixth grade science camp climbing at a regular and alarming rate, the six graders are in need, once again, of the communities help. Micki & Larry are answering their call in a creative way. For each person that donates at least $1.00 to the Copperopolis Sixth Grade Science camp they will get a card with their name on it posted on the “sixth grade science camp wall of fame.” Though staying with the Halloween theme, the wall is more like a web of fame, with each name card hanging by a web-like thread.
While raising funds for school kids is a short term project, Micki & Larry are always collecting food for the food pantry. In the corner of the pub one will always see a fifty-five gallon drum accepting collections for the local food pantry. They have had some nights, ingeniously football Mondays, where they nicely inform the customers of the "can for entry" rule. Meaning if you would like to watch the big game on one of their multiple televisions with surround sound and the great camaraderie you might want to bring a can of food. The patrons traditionally rally around this idea and bring in not just a can or two, but bags and bags of food.
When Micki was cornered and asked about all that she had done for the community, she dismissed the question with small wave of the hand and took no credit for all that she and Larry had done, saying, "We feel so much a part of this community, we just want to give back."
While raising funds for school kids is a short term project, Micki & Larry are always collecting food for the food pantry. In the corner of the pub one will always see a fifty-five gallon drum accepting collections for the local food pantry. They have had some nights, ingeniously football Mondays, where they nicely inform the customers of the "can for entry" rule. Meaning if you would like to watch the big game on one of their multiple televisions with surround sound and the great camaraderie you might want to bring a can of food. The patrons traditionally rally around this idea and bring in not just a can or two, but bags and bags of food.
When Micki was cornered and asked about all that she had done for the community, she dismissed the question with small wave of the hand and took no credit for all that she and Larry had done, saying, "We feel so much a part of this community, we just want to give back."
Being a bar can have its disadvantages when trying to raise funds for children, though the patrons are giving and charitable, society tends to mark them as a pariah. Micki is well aware of that sentiment and says, "We do so much more than just serve drinks, we serve people." They are active members of the Lions Club (you will see them at most community events behind the Lions sign, serving food and wine), their pub is an ECV watering hole and they proudly hold the title of the honorary pre- VFW Post for Copperopolis combat veterans that are forming a post in Copper.
Father Jim, from the Church of the Ascension, had nothing but amazing things to say of both Micki and Larry, they are not "just involved in the food pantry, they pop up at all kinds of events" in Copperopolis helping out and lending a hand. "They are just positive people in the community..involved in so many different facets of the community, stepping up without even being asked, they just jump right in. They have really big hearts."
For more information on the Sports Pub visit http://mickiandlarryssportspub.blogspot.com/
By, C Maness
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