Content paid for by The Mill Tavern
It’s the neighborhood spot to enjoy a burger, beer and time with friends in the community.
The Mill Tavern has been the go-to for many since 2010, and Owners Chris and Kristin Weiler are once again hosting their annual Joey’s Stocking fundraiser.
It’s in honor of Chris’s late nephew, a young man who passed away with several medical complications nearly two decades ago. The couple then hosted a fundraiser to help with medical bills, and after seeing the impact the community had on the family, the Weilers decided to do it again with another family, and the tradition grew.
“We made a promise that we would continue doing this for other families, but when we opened here 14 years ago, we were having trouble finding local families,” Chris Weiler said. “We found that a lot of people in need have a lot of pride, and you try to reach out but it’s not always received.”
They adjusted, working with a local nonprofit before it closed, and then finding Open Doors of Washington Township and partnering with the organization for the past several years.
“Open Doors touches a lot of the basics,” Weiler said. “They have food and clothing, and it’s a really good program run by good people.”
The nonprofit also supports several seasonal programs, from Back to School to Thanksgiving for families in the Westfield area.
Year after year the couple matches the amount donated by members of the community, and typically donates around $4,000 to Open Doors.
As customers walk through their front doors, they can select one of several stockings cut in shapes like a gingerbread man, Santa, a snowman and others. Donate $5 for the stocking, write a message on it, and watch the number of stockings grow throughout the tavern as the season progresses.
Messages range from pictures to holiday greetings and everything in between.
This year they have a new goal for donations.
“Coca-Cola has been generous in adding their own donations to our efforts,” Weiler said. “They will match our donations up to $6,000. We’re excited about the additional funds. We’re just a small little pub, and around the holidays there’s a lot of joy in this space. Let’s get the walls covered in stockings.”
With Joey in mind and a heart for giving back to their community, the Weilers hope to make more of an impact this year with the help of neighbors, friends, customers and the support of Coca-Cola Consolidated.
Weiler is reminded of the way the Westfield community rallied when the tavern was closed during the pandemic.
“We were shut down and they supported us,” he said. “They raised $20,000 for us. It’s sort of our responsibility to give back. You want to share your privilege. We’ve been extremely fortunate to not only survive this long, but to thrive. They’ve taken good care of us and this is just sort of automatic for us. We’re not special; it’s just the right thing to do.”
The fundraiser will be active from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day.
