Please accept my thanks and heartfelt gratitude to each of you for your involvement and support of this year's Stop, Drop, & Roll Chili Cook-Off. We were very successful and the event is growing each year - that is the sign of a tradition in the making.
The event hosted 2900 attendees; 33 CASI Chili Teams; 4 CASI Show Teams; 28 Novice Teams (only 21 submitted chili to the judges - the other 7 were just there to help us feed the crowd - thank you!); 15 vendor/display booths; 40+ chili judges; loads of auction goodies; 4 firefighter contest teams; and lots of new sponsors, donors, and supporters. Funds raised (including all elements of our annual campaign) were in excess of $80,000.00. This figure does not even include the value of in-kind donations from folks like Budweiser, Clear Channel, ESPN, 93.3 The Bone, Kerby Wilcox's Iron Pig BBQ, The Grapevine Fire Department, and so many others that gave of their services to help us meet our goals of supporting the fire service of this great nation.
Check out the "Click" section of the Star Telegram for photographs of the chili cook-off. You can also view more pictures taken by one of our beloved volunteers.
Thanks again, everyone!
Showing posts with label fundraiser. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fundraiser. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Friday, August 17, 2007
Big things are happening...
We are getting closer to the chili cook-off, and things are moving right along. We still have so much to do, but I am trying to focus on one thing at a time.
I never realized how much work went into planning events like the cook-off—for example, logistics, promotion, creating logos, writing letters for donation and auction requests, ordering t-shirts and baseball caps, and much, much more. With all the hustle and bustle, it’s easy to get caught up in the tasks of making lists, phone calls, and simply prioritizing things to get done. I suppose in doing all these little tasks, we sometimes lose sight of the true purpose of our work.
Yesterday, though, I received a phone call, and it reminded me of what good things will come when we think BIG. One of the employees here requested an auction donation item from Southwest Airlines, and it was such a nice surprise when they called to let us know they were donating pair of roundtrip tickets, valued at over $800! It just goes to show that sometimes you have to think big and expect great things to happen.
With the money we raise from the silent auction, we will be able to assist an injured firefighter, provide support for his or her family, or even provide desperately needed equipment for a volunteer fire department.
There is nothing like knowing that your work has the potential to help a family or provide safety for a fire department. I think that is what drives everyone involved in the Firefighters’ Fund and why we are working to have the best chili cook-off yet!
I never realized how much work went into planning events like the cook-off—for example, logistics, promotion, creating logos, writing letters for donation and auction requests, ordering t-shirts and baseball caps, and much, much more. With all the hustle and bustle, it’s easy to get caught up in the tasks of making lists, phone calls, and simply prioritizing things to get done. I suppose in doing all these little tasks, we sometimes lose sight of the true purpose of our work.
Yesterday, though, I received a phone call, and it reminded me of what good things will come when we think BIG. One of the employees here requested an auction donation item from Southwest Airlines, and it was such a nice surprise when they called to let us know they were donating pair of roundtrip tickets, valued at over $800! It just goes to show that sometimes you have to think big and expect great things to happen.
With the money we raise from the silent auction, we will be able to assist an injured firefighter, provide support for his or her family, or even provide desperately needed equipment for a volunteer fire department.
There is nothing like knowing that your work has the potential to help a family or provide safety for a fire department. I think that is what drives everyone involved in the Firefighters’ Fund and why we are working to have the best chili cook-off yet!
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Hi, I'm Kelli, a new team member...
I am new to the WPI Firefighters' Fund and very excited to be involved in its third annual Chili Cook-Off! Working for its corporate sponsor, I am lucky enough to have a job where I get the chance to help organize events that help others.
One thing I have already realized is that a lot of work goes into organizing these events! It is June and our chili cook-off is not until October, but we are already making flyers, sending invitations, and lining up vendors and advertisers.
This past Saturday I attended a chili cook-off in Dallas, and although it was a hot summer day, that did not stop the chili fanatics from coming out. Everyone seemed very excited about attending our upcoming cook-off, so I really do hope to see them there.
On a side note, although I always had a huge amount of respect for our nation’s firefighters, I am in awe of just how much they do for us. I was astounded to learn that many of them are actually volunteers. I recently read a quote that said, “Most people want to get away from trouble. When you’re a public servant, you’re going toward trouble.” We should all feel grateful to have these firefighters risking their lives and offering their time to help others.
I am proud to take part in the Fund and help organize this year’s Chili Cook-Off, and am looking forward to the event!
One thing I have already realized is that a lot of work goes into organizing these events! It is June and our chili cook-off is not until October, but we are already making flyers, sending invitations, and lining up vendors and advertisers.
This past Saturday I attended a chili cook-off in Dallas, and although it was a hot summer day, that did not stop the chili fanatics from coming out. Everyone seemed very excited about attending our upcoming cook-off, so I really do hope to see them there.
On a side note, although I always had a huge amount of respect for our nation’s firefighters, I am in awe of just how much they do for us. I was astounded to learn that many of them are actually volunteers. I recently read a quote that said, “Most people want to get away from trouble. When you’re a public servant, you’re going toward trouble.” We should all feel grateful to have these firefighters risking their lives and offering their time to help others.
I am proud to take part in the Fund and help organize this year’s Chili Cook-Off, and am looking forward to the event!
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