A barbecue pitmaster from Leechburg uses his grill skills for charity.

Joe “Big Joe” Felschow organizes barbecue benefits for anyone experiencing hardship in the Leechburg area.

“It’s something I started and have a passion for. I love helping others in this crazy world we live in, even if it’s just a little bit at a time,” said Felschow, 34.

A native of Buffalo, N.Y., he moved to Leechburg in 1997 and graduated from Leechburg High School in 2006.

Felschow, who works as a senior machinist technician at Cook Medical in Parks Township, organized his first barbecue benefit in 2012 after a close friend suddenly died.

“It’s my turn to step up to the plate and help others by just doing what I love,” he said.

Felschow hosted a combo rock concert and meal at the Moose Club in Leechburg.

Since then, he and other volunteers have hosted dozens of food events year-round to assist those in need, including a BBQFORBUDDY event for Felschow’s brother, who was diagonosed with kidney failure and end-stage renal disease in 2018.

“It was a blistery 19 (degrees) when we fired the smokers up at 6:30 a.m. for a go-time of 2 p.m. for the barbecue,” Felschow recalled.

He cooked about 85 racks of ribs, more than 100 pounds of pulled pork, 150 pounds of chicken and brisket, and 45 pounds of smoked roast beef with all the fixings.

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“I’m proud to say I raised $10,000 to help my brother in his dire time of need. I could not have been any prouder to say I was from Leechburg that day,” Felschow said.

To date, Felschow estimates he has raised about $30,000 through barbecue benefits.

His love of barbecue was born from bad food.

“I spent a large amount of money on terrible barbecue at a barbecue shack. I said to myself, ‘I know I can cook better than this,’ and went out the next day and bought a smoker. It’s been my passion since,” Felschow said.

Felschow was inducted into the Leechburg Hall of Fame in 2021 by the Leechburg Area Community Association.

Leechburg Councilman D.J. Zelczak praised Felschow’s dedication to serving others.

“It just seems that whenever bad things happen to an individual or a family, he’s there to help in any way he can,” Zelczak said.

Felschow organized a barbecue benefit last year for a Leechburg-area family displaced by a fire.

Leechburg Councilwoman Doreen Smeal helped at the event and said Felschow’s commitment to volunteerism is outstanding.

“He was so considerate and kind to put in all that time and effort, and for all the cost of the food that he did. The family was more than appreciative of all the work that went through,” Smeal said.

To date, Felschow has provided free Thanksgiving Day groceries for more than 110 families.

He pays for the food with his money and with monetary donations from local businesses and individuals from the Leechburg area.

“Of course, I do not do this alone. I have a tightknit group of friends who help me pull these events off smoothly. Word of mouth and social media are some of the ways I hear of those who could use a helping hand. I use every resource available to me to help them,” Felschow said.

His most recent barbecue event, held at the Marconi Club in Leechburg, benefited a couple who lost their personal belongings and house in a fire.

“It was very successful, and we were able to fund the rehabilitation of a house they’re living in now,” Felschow said.

At Cook Medical, Felschow serves as a corporate social responsibility representative.

He partnered with the Leechburg High School Art Club to install more than 12 hand-painted birdhouses on the grounds at Cook Medical.

“Giving back to the places where we live is one of the seven values Cook encourages,” he said.

“I just want to thank every single person who ever attended a charity event that we have put together and (say) thank you to everyone who helps our community together. I’m Leechburg proud.”

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