CLEVELAND, Ohio - If you ever ponied up for a ticket to a Belgian-ale tasting, a chocolate and beer pairing or any of the other flagship events during Cleveland Beer Week, chances are you hoisted some good beers and toasted a time or two.

You also helped contribute to kids going to college.

That's because the beneficiary for those flagship events is the Jimmy Malone Scholarship Program. Thursday night, Cleveland Beer Week organizers donated last year's contribution - $20,000 - to the not-for-profit initiative from longtime radio veteran Jimmy Malone.

"It's hard to put into words how much they care," Malone said of the Cleveland Beer Week organizers. "Some people, it’s a corporation writing a check and they don't know what the money is going for. They (Cleveland Beer Week) seem to get as much joy out of giving as I do getting it."

The fund, which is managed by the non-profit College Now Greater Cleveland, supports need-based Northeast Ohio students. It's open to anyone; there's no race, religion or political restrictions. Each recipient gets $3,000 a year for four years, and each student can earn $2,000 in bonuses based on grade-point averages and other factors. Students also are mentored and receive career counseling.

It started 27 years ago with three kids, Malone said. This year, 58 students were helped. And the program boasts a 90 percent graduation rate.

"I didn’t intend to start a scholarship program," he said. "I was just going to make a donation."

During its involvement, Cleveland Beer Week has contributed more than $182,000. And Ed Thompkins, one of the board members for Cleveland Beer Week, said the fest embraces its philanthropic role.

"It's so cool," he said. "The primary initiative for Cleveland Beer Week is to support the Malone scholarship fund. This past year we were able to contribute a substantial amount.

"Cleveland Beer Week is beer for a cause, and it's such a tremendous cause to help these kids go to college. … With all the many beer events in the area, this is specifically targeted to benefit people, the charity, and be hyper local. It's very gratifying."

The 12th annual Cleveland Beer Week is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 10, to Saturday, Oct. 17.

For photos and videos on the extraordinary food and drinking scenes in Northeast Ohio, follow @DineDrinkCLE on Instagram.

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