Building A Refuge

09/08/2026

Thank you to Those AshHoles and 93.1 WIBC-FM along with Jason Hammer for supporting the BAR Rib Fest 2026 this past Sunday at the VFW Post 10003 Carmel.

Collaboratively, together we put this together to include great guest speakers.

- Tim Griffin, Carmel Fire Department
- Jeremy Herrell, US Army Veteran
- Chris Jensen, Noblesville Mayor
- Jason Hammer, WIBC
- Lisa Dotson Hall, Film / Documentary
- Victoria Spartz, US Representative - Ind

Thank you to Jerry Lopez for all the help organizing and emceeing our event this year!

We here at Building a Refuge at very blessed for this support and kindness to support this event. Mental Health challenges does not have boundaries and coming together for a common effort sure feels good!

Thank you!

09/08/2026

Thank you to Carmel Fire Department, Tim Griffin for helping us kick the day off at the BAR Rib Fest 2026 !!

We appreciate all that the CFD does to bring awareness to mental health awareness and su***de prevention in our community! We know first responders see and face challenges everyday and raising awareness is paramount our mission.

Thank you very much !

09/08/2026

To say BAR Rib Fest 2026 was a success would be an understatement!

From the bottom of our hearts at Building a Refuge, thank you to everyone who attended, supported, donated, served food, shared their story, spoke, volunteered, and played music. Each of you helped make this day incredibly meaningful.

We heard powerful stories from veterans and first responders, as well as families who have experienced the heartbreaking loss of loved ones to su***de. We also heard from community leaders who genuinely care about mental health and believe in the importance of raising awareness, offering support, and reminding people that they are not alone.

A special thank-you to the staff at VFW Post 10003 Carmel for being such wonderful hosts for our second year and for continuing to stand behind our mission.

To Jerry Lopez and 93.1 WIBC-FM—thank you for arranging an incredible group of guest speakers. Hearing our community leaders openly express their commitment to mental health awareness was both encouraging and inspiring.

RibFest is about much more than great food and music. It is about bringing people together, starting meaningful conversations, honoring those we have lost, and creating hope for those who may be struggling.

Thank you for believing in Building a Refuge and helping us continue this mission—one story at a time.

Please stay tuned to our page for more upcoming BAR events and for some great pictures of a great day!

Hope to see you all September 5, 2027!

You are not alone. 💛

09/06/2026

09/06/2026

BAR Rib Fest 2026

The pulled pork is ready, ribs will be on the grill soon,My Dad’s sweet corn is soaking, and the final preparations are underway! The weather is shaping up beautifully, and we’re looking forward to a day filled with incredible food, live music, and community.

But Rib Fest is about so much more than great BBQ. We gather to raise awareness for mental health and su***de prevention, remind people that asking for help is a sign of strength, and let everyone know they are never alone.

That is the heart behind Rib Fest—and the reason we do this to support our community and Veterans. Come hungry, bring your friends and family, and help us create hope—one story and one conversation at a time! 💛

If you cannot join us and want to help, text “ribfest” to 44834 and help us hit our goal. Building A Refuge is a registered 501c3 non profit.



***deprevention2026

09/05/2026

🔥 PREP DAY IS IN THE BOOKS! 🔥

The tents are up, the grills are set, and the ribs and butts are rubbed. Bring on BAR Rib Fest 2026 ! 🍖🎶

This year marks 20 YEARS of Rib Fest! Never did I imagine when this event began two decades ago that we would be where we are today—using this incredible weekend to raise awareness for mental health and su***de prevention.

Building a Refuge is on a mission to reduce—and ultimately eliminate—the stigma surrounding “raising your hand for help.”

There is ZERO shame in asking for help. You are not weak, and you are not alone!

Please help us reach our fundraising goal this weekend. Every donation supports our mission of creating awareness, offering hope, and building a refuge for those who need it.

📲 Text “ribfest” to 44834 to donate!

Let’s make the 20th year one to remember! 💛🖤

***dePrevention

09/03/2026

BAR Rib Fest 2026 Layout and parking information. Remember that parking is limited at the VFW Post 10003 Carmel on Sunday. Additional parking can be found along Old Meridian Street public parking spots, Meijer (See Picture) Avant Parking Garage / Bru Burger Lot (See Picture)

We will have a shuttle running again from 1pm to 7pm the day of the event. The shuttle is provided by Future Velo based in Carmel Indiana. Thank you Dave for your support !

If you have a question, please email [email protected]

Remember this day and event is to support mental health awareness and su***de prevention. Thank you to everyone that is helping and supporting this event !

09/02/2026

Here are the details for BAR Rib Fest 2026 !! We have some great guest speakers and look at this band line up !

September is National Su***de Prevention Awareness Month, dedicated to sharing resources and raising mental health awareness. This event is about raising awareness and supporting our one another. We are looking forward to a great event.

If you cannot join and want to help us, please consider donating. Text “ribfest” to 44834 All funds raised go directly to Building A Refuge to support our community.

09/02/2026

This a great podcast if you have been through addiction or caring for someone going through addiction. Additionally, if you have lost a loved one…great listen here.

https://omny.fm/shows/supporting-sobriety-podcast/episode-77-in-memory-of-matt-bair-finding-hope-in-grief?fbclid=IwZnRzaAUFRJ9wZG9mAWZkaWQWUNq6HQXWlSTqpRmzCoC1qe7leBHAlGV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR6iEeH9QHbVy2vLzo71Cy1ZEVhmSV5J7JK2lmls5esJygB-2QCD4ORWZXx0vg_aem_Cm4j18YuHz6dnd8NFSqH4Q

Ryan Hedrick talks about something he never thought he’d have to talk about: losing his good friend and former Supporting Sobriety co-host, Matt Bair. Ryan shares how he’s finding hope in grief without using, leaning on his recovery, and the people and resources around him. Follow & Listen X and...