Donnie Iris visits the Rock
SLIPPERY ROCK — A famous musician and former Slippery Rock University student doled out drinks for a good cause alongside Butler-famous officials Monday night.
Donnie Iris participated in a guest-bartending gig for the Feed My Sheep Food Cupboard in Slippery Rock, alongside Jondavid Longo, mayor of Slippery Rock, Jordan Grady, president of the Butler County Chamber of Commerce, and Ian Grady, basketball coach at SRU.
Iris said he attended SRU back in the 1960s, when it was still Slippery Rock State College.
“(Slippery Rock) has changed a lot since I’ve been here, but it’s a good place,” he said. “I think it’s great everyone came out for the food pantry. It’s a great cause.”
The Ginger Hill Tavern was packed wall to wall for its annual event, as the bartenders would ring a bell to celebrate tips they collected.
According to Longo, all the tips made by the guest bartenders at the event will be donated to the food pantry.
“This is my fourth year doing this,” he said. “It’s always a competition between the teams of bartenders. They get bragging rights for that year.”
He added that $4,000 was raised at last year’s event, and they’re hoping to break that record this year.
While Longo had many years of restaurant and bartending experience under his belt, Iris said he was a novice. Not that he would have had time to take them, as many community members asked him to pose for pictures.
“I don’t make the drinks, I leave that to the professionals,” he said.
Samantha Swift, of Slippery Rock, said she knew all the bartenders working and wanted to help Feed My Sheep.
“I wanted to support the cause, especially this time of year, since it’s the season of giving,” she said. “I know all the (guest) bartenders, and I have been a fan of (Iris) for several years.”
Molly Hennessy said she frequents the tavern and was intrigued by Iris’ presence there.
“I love this bar, and (Iris) is here, and Feed My Sheep is cool, too. I love supporting the community,” she said.
Longo said other Butler-famous folks would be tending bar that night, but in his hour-long shift, $2,018 was raised for the food cupboard.
“It’s a community staple, helping out a community partner,” Longo said.
