KJR 950 AM is Seattle’s original sports radio station. Yes, there are others, but KJR broke the sports radio ice here in Seattle. One of the station’s most recognizable personalities is Ian Furness. His nickname is The Mayor. It’s a nod to him being some kind of honorary mayor of Maple Valley or something like that. Doesn’t matter. He’s The Mayor.

The Mayor teamed up with the folks at Georgetown Brewing to create a beer to benefit some local non-profit organizations. This was second year they’ve partnered for the cause. The resulting beer, the now-annual The Mayor IPA, ended up winning a bronze medal at the 2021 Washington Beer Awards in the category Juicy or Hazy Strong Pale Ales. Sorry folks, but it’s long gone.

Today, Georgetown Brewing announced, “The totals are in! Thanks to all of you, sales of growlers and pints of The Mayor IPA raised $17,800!”

Georgetown Brewing, Ian Furness, and most of the other people who do things like this don’t seek to gain praise or admiration for their good deeds. They do not toot their own horns. That’s my job. So, while they quietly distribute the checks, I am happy to share the news.

The funds raised by The Mayor IPA will find their way to three groups: Helinski’s Hope focuses on raising awareness, ending the stigma, and providing mental health resources for student-athletes; The Jordan Morris Foundation works to educate, inspire, and support those living with Type 1 Diabetes; The Avery Huffman DIPG Foundation honors and remembers Avery and her #AveryStrong legacy, her DIPG/cancer fight, raises DIPG awareness, and funds DIPG research.

Congratulations and thank you to Ian Furness and Georgetown Brewing. Great work. Now I only wish I’d gotten off my butt and gotten some of the beer. Oh well, there’s always next year. (Spoken like a true Mariners fan.)