ARLINGTON HEIGHTS — The Arlington Heights Improvement Club looks forward to continuing a tradition on behalf of the surrounding community, as they stage their annual beef barbecue and auction July 26, at 12221 228th St. NE.

Laura Hofmann, of the Arlington Heights Improvement Club, explained that the improvement club was originally established in 1948, to bring improvements such as roads, sewers and telephone lines to Arlington Heights, but it eventually expanded from its functions as a grange into a community club.

All proceeds from this annual fundraiser go toward community programs, including Arlington-area high school scholarships, Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets to local families, supporting the Stilly Valley Little League, hosting political forums and storing supplies for the Red Cross. The barbecue began as a means of supporting a Boys Scouts troop that used to be in Arlington Heights, and the event has grown from there.

“It’s our way of thanking the community for its support of us,” said Hofmann, who noted that each year’s auction includes a bull calf from Don Tillman. “We’re country, so we’re not big and extravagant when we do this, but we get donations from a variety of local businesses. Everybody knows that the last Sunday of July is our barbeque, and we have people who come back faithfully every year.”

The barbecue starts at 3 p.m., and the live auction starts at 6 p.m.