The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department  will host a charity barbecue competition  Saturday, June 21, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Jack Bones Equestrian Center, 26983 Tapia Canyon Road in Castaic.

All proceeds from the event will be donated to the “999 for Kids” charity. It was established in 1986 as a partnership between the Sheriff’s Department and the Department of Children and Family Services.

The program’s mission is to provide equipment as well as activities to abused and severely handicapped children who have been placed into the care of the Specialized Placement Unit of DCFS.

The “999 for Kids” Program Chair is Santa Clarita Valley Station Captain Roosevelt Johnson.

“There are more than 1,000 children in this program,” Johnson said. “The children are in need, and it is an honor to assist them in any way we can.”

The program provides funds for items that don’t get funded through traditional sources. Through generous donations, “999 for Kids” is able to provide a better quality of life for abused and/or severely handicapped children.

Requests are processed and approved to provide wheelchairs, special equipment, computers, and scholarships to children in the program.

“These children have become a part of the ‘system’ through no fault of their own,” Johnson said. “They are victims of child abuse, neglect and domestic violence. We hope to help them forget about the abuse and neglect.”

This year there will be 19 teams participating in the barbecue competition. Other activities will include a kid’s area complete with department displays, pony rides, games, and a rock climbing wall.

Numerous vendors will be on site selling their wares and world-renowned chainsaw artist, Jamie Doeren, is scheduled to appear to create art.