Bryon Keith Farmer (right) and Annie Westerbura (left) are both managers at Critters Bar in Crooks.  Through the curation of Thursday Thunder, Critters has helped several organizations and charities throughout the past couple of summers, including Feeding South Dakota, Almost Home Pet Rescue, Crooks Volunteer Fire Department, and more. (Photo submitted/Bryon Keith Farmer)

Melissa Voss | Editor

In the small town of Crooks, its community is looking for a way to give back. One of its frontliners is Critters Bar, whose Thursday Thunder summer event gives back to the community that has supported them over the years.

Bryon Keith Farmer is the event planner of Critters, and co-manager alongside full-time manager Annie Westerbura. He explained that Thursday Thunder was created to help all different types of charities and organizations, big and small.

“In the past, Thursday Thunder has helped several organizations, from day cares to animal rescue. We have done Feeding South Dakota, Chariots for Children, Special Olympics, Almost Home Pet Rescue, Our Very own Crooks Volunteer Fire Dept, and Crooks Community Child Care Center,” Farmer states.

On Thursday, June 18, Thursday Thunder supported their business next door, the Crooks Community Child Care Center. Overall, the fundraiser raised over $900. Farmer explains that they have several needs.  Last year, they raised money for new safe playground equipment, but this year they wanted to focus on helping the expansion of the child care center.

“We are also trying to help them get a new center built to help with the increase of young children in our community.”

On Thursday, June 25, the fundraiser was for SJ4H (Survivors Joining for Hope), a Suicide Recovery & Prevention Foundation.

Overall, Farmer says that the purpose Thursday Thunder is to have individuals give back to their community.

“Our goal is to help support those that support us, and to help groups in need in all our surrounding communities. We are all in this big world together.”

But the events of Thursday Thunder aren’t limited to those in Crooks. Farmer welcomes all members of the surrounding communities to come and support the weekly event.

“The Crooks community members are always welcome, we all take pride in our little community,  and we like to let people know how great it is. We welcome everyone from all around to come see our little town and enjoy some fun and great atmosphere. The people of Crooks are great!”

Thursday Thunder is a charity night that happens every Thursday at Critters throughout the summer.