By Molly Snyder Senior Writer Published Dec 29, 2019 at 11:02 AM

While the family, close friends, acquaintances and anyone in Milwaukee with a heart mourned the loss of James Hanson, a Milwaukee service industry superstar who was killed by a hit-and-run driver while walking her dogs on Christmas Eve, numerous folks rallied to set up a fundraiser.

The event takes place Monday, Dec. 30 at the Milwaukee Brat House (Downtown location) – where Hanson worked – from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Dozens of Milwaukee bartenders volunteered to take shifts to play $3 dice games. All proceeds and tips will go to Hanson's family for funeral costs, with the remainder going to a charity cause she was passionate about supporting, The Hope House. The event will also include raffles and a silent auction.

A gofundme page is also set up in Hanson's honor for anyone who is unable to make it to the event and / or wishes to donate online.

"James was the definition of 'community.' She brought people together in life and now in death. She gave everything of herself anytime there was a cause and even now that she's gone the entire city is rallying in her honor," says event co-organizer, Diane Dowland. 

Here's the schedule of bartenders for the James Hanson fundraiser:

5 p.m.

Paul Kennedy – Dark Horse/Tonic/Stone
Tara Jade – Zad's/Wauwatiki
Michelle Hoff – Doc's/Drink Wisconsinbly

5:30 p.m.

Ryan Cooke – Boelter Co.
Travis McCall – Who's on Third/Bugsy's
Tim "Fun Cat" Casey – Buck Bradley's

6 p.m.

Justin Bashaw – The Bubbler
Matt Olson - Zads/Highbury Pub
Luke Kolancheck – Backyard-Bay View
Adam Karaway – AJ O'Brady's
Dan Miller – Sam's Tap

6:30 p.m.

Bee West – Red Rock Saloon
Gerrit Verhagen – BarNone
Tim Gordon – Belli's

7 p.m.

Jo Julia – Steny's
Matthew "Brodey" Callies – Steny's
Mel Olson – Beechwood

7:30 p.m.

"Pickles" – Camino
Mo Crosby – SWARMM Events
Maribel Aranda – Diageo
Lemonade Jack's Lemonade Stand

8 p.m.

Sam Chung – Rogues/Elwood's/Club Brady
Erich Meier – Kenadees
Jen Walker – Monkey Bar OG/ Bratwood
Kelly Schmitz – Diageo

8:30 p.m.

Nick Chartier – Tin Widow
Nikki Enea – Bratwood
Juston Edwards – OGBH
Dorney Bratwood

9 p.m.

Kayla Nohelty – Danny Haskell's
Alyssa Anderson – Champions Pub
Jenneca Younger – Finks/Mothership/At Random
Nuni Castaneda – Bubbler

9:30 p.m.

Amy Bladow – BarNone
Craig Egle – BarNone
Neal Steffek – Drunk Uncle

10 p.m.

John Papp – BarNone
Jerry Rodriguez Trio
Randy Beck – Sabbatic

10:30 p.m.

Brad Serdan – Pabst Tap Room
Brad Chrzanowski – Cantina
Sarah Quiggs – Trio

11 p.m.

Ace Papagiorgio – Fuel Cafe
Aase Quamme – Camino
Marcus Landers – Three Lions/Red Lion Pub

11:30 p.m.

Tex Chesier – Saints & Sinners
Tiffany Peltonen – Brat House
Paresha Sara – Revel
Haley Pollard – Revel

12 a.m. - bar close

Brat House Staff


Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.

Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.