Special to Iredell Free News

Hoptown Brewing Company recently closed out a successful second year of Sipping it Forward for charity by awarding $18,115 to four regional nonprofit organizations.

Brewery leadership announced the sizable Sip It Forward campaign contribution on March 22 at a celebration among charity representatives and invited guests.

Sip It Forward is a unique fundraiser at the Mooresville brewery that donates $1 from every pint purchase of the blonde ale by the same name. The annual campaign began in 2021 when Hoptown opened its doors. Now into its third year, Sip It Forward raised an $14,584 in year one, surpassing that by nearly $4,000 for the 2022-2023 charities, Sheldon’s K9s, Dove House, Food for Days and Hope of Mooresville.

Through teary eyes, Sandy Plemmons, a managing partner and founder of Hoptown Brewing, extended a large check and kind words to each recipient nonprofit.

“If this doesn’t prove that one dollar can make a difference, I don’t know what does,” Plemmons said.

After awarding dollars to the outgoing charities, the brewery kicked off its new donation year with the annual 4 Miles 4 Charities Race on March 25. Runners and walkers, kids and adults (and a few pups) hit the pavement on a rainy Saturday morning to raise the first dollars for incoming recipients – Cool Kids Clubhouse, Rainbow Kidz, Rescue Ranch and The Mooresville Christian Mission.

These nonprofits will passively fundraise through March 2024 via Hoptown’s Sip It Forward craft beer as well as other outreach opportunities at the brewery.

“Our second year surpassed expectations and allowed us to share much-needed money with these invaluable community organizations. Each dollar is making such a massive difference!” Plemmons said. “We know that our Townies will continue to sip it forward and support our greater community, and we look forward to hitting the $20,000 mark for this year’s donations.”