Barefoot Mardi Gras has donated $30,000 to its designated 2022 charities, The Texas Sealife Center and the Island Foundation Schools. This is the largest contribution to date.
Barefoot Event Producer, Elaine Motl, announced the contribution and gave checks to each charity with the Barefoot Mardi Gras Committee members, Barefoot Presenting Sponsors and the reigning Barefoot King and Queen, John Vaughn and Nicole Hartwick.
Held each year on the Saturday prior to Fat Tuesday, Barefoot Mardi Gras raises money though sponsorships, donations, silent auctions, and ticket sales at its Kick-Off Party, Fat Friday Party, the King and Queens Ball, and the Barefoot Mardi Gras Parade.
The 2022 event marked 13 years on Padre Island, 5 years organized by Islanders Denise & Duane Ebert, and 8 years organized by Motl and the Padre Island Business Association.
To date, Barefoot Mardi Gras has donated a total of $123,000 to charity.
The event received local and statewide publicity and made a huge economic impact on the Island with the estimated 10,000 people who attended.
Presenting sponsors for 2022 were Corona Extra/Andrews Distributing, Coastline Properties, Security Service Federal Credit Union, Island Market IGA and Physicians Premier ER.