LyondellBasell Jackson Plant Employees Support Relay For Life with BBQ Fundraiser
June 22, 2017
JACKSON, Tenn. – June 22, 2017 – LyondellBasell’s Jackson Plant produces polypropylene compounds that are used to manufacture the plastics found in many consumer goods, interior and exterior automotive parts and home appliances across the world. With six production lines in operation, the plant employs approximately 100 people. For more than 20 years, these plant employees have not only made items used in modern day life possible, but they also produce some of Madison County’s best BBQ. And they do it for a good cause – the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.
Prepared with employees’ secret family recipes, the BBQ has become so popular that LyondellBasell hit a record fundraising total of just over $10,000 in 2016. With fundraising efforts still underway, LyondellBasell’s Jackson Plant has raised $6,000 in BBQ sales so far.
“We knew we wanted to contribute to our local Relay for Life,” said Rebecca White, Jackson Plant Site Manager. “So in 1995, the site purchased a BBQ trailer with one large grill, a handful of home-made recipes and it just took off from there.”
Today more than 35 employees donate their time, effort and home-made sauces and rubs, to make and sell pulled pork, ribs, and smoked BBQ’d bologna, in addition to numerous sides like coleslaw, potato salad, and baked beans.
LyondellBasell employee and chef Scott Jones is one of those employees that feels a need to help. “I was always told that happiness is through a person’s stomach eating good food,” said Jones. “Over the years I’ve had many cancer survivors and their family members come to the company cooker to sample a taste, and I remember the laughs and smiles on their faces after the first bite.”
“The BBQ and ribs the LyondellBasell team cook have become a cornerstone of our event,” said Amy Morris, Community Manager, Special Events for the Madison County Relay for Life. “The line goes on and on! We just can’t thank them enough for their support and all they do to ensure that the relay is a huge success.”
“Many employees take vacation days to volunteer, while others come directly from the plant after working a twelve hour shift,” said White. “This project is especially meaningful for those employees whose families have benefited from the great work of the American Cancer Society.”
As the LyondellBasell BBQ tent popularity grows, upgrades have been purchased to keep up with the customer demand including a second grill and a six rack rotisserie.
“I start cooking BBQ at 4:00 a.m. on the day of the event so we can start selling BBQ around 5:00 p.m.,” said Jones. “We sell BBQ until we run out of meat!”
Jones’ BBQ draws a large crowd, with some people coming out specifically for his cooking. With a four, six and eight foot rotisserie all going at the event, Jones said it takes weeks before the event to organize, cook and prepare for the Relay for Life.
In order to reach their fundraising goal, Jones holds additional cooking events during the year at the plant selling Boston Butts and racks of ribs to employees and their friends and families.
“It’s a lot of work, but sure is rewarding,” said White.
Media Contact: Megan Borchers O: 815-942-7474 C: 815-210-1980 megan.borchers@lyb.com