The HDRF was created to honor Helen David,  a beloved bar owner and community icon from Port Huron, Michigan. Born in the early 20th century, Helen defied all odds — at a time when women-owned businesses were nearly unheard of, she opened and operated The Brass Rail bar for over 69 years. It still stands as a local institution today. Helen wasn’t just a business owner — she was a leader, a trailblazer, and a fighter. She survived breast cancer twice and continued to lead her bar and community with strength and compassion. She was an active force in the Licensed Beverage Association and held leadership roles in both the St. Clair County Association and the Michigan Association. When she wasn’t running her bar, Helen could be found on the golf course, bowling lanes, or casting a line into the water — even landing a feature  in Sport Fishing Magazine for her incredible catches around the world. She sponsored local sports teams and had a particular love for hockey, infusing every part of her life with enthusiasm and generosity.Her  vibrant spirit lives on in the HDRF, which offers immediate cash grants  to people in the bar and hospitality industry currently undergoing or recovering from cancer treatment. You don’t need to be a USBG member to apply — the fund is open to anyone in the industry facing this difficult journey.