Chili fans raise funds for veterans
Friday’s gradually cooling weather gave added reason for chili fans to collect at the Texarkana College’s Truman Arnold Student Center's Truman Arnold Student hot-bean-and-meat mixtures. Hundreds of these chili samplers spent a couple of hours tasting various versions of this late winter cuisine, being served up by 18 chili stands during the 19th annual Texarkana Areas Veterans Council’s Chili Cook-Off fundraiser. Just like in recent years, the cook- off’s 18 cooks represented three different contestant categories: civic organizations, businesses and individuals. Chili preparations with names like Two Chicks Chili, Afterburner and Fire House Chili received visits from perhaps as
many as 500 local and area chili enthusiasts.
Funds raised by the annual cook-off help the council replace medical transport vans, which are used to take local disabled veterans to the Overton Brooks Veterans Administration Medical Center in Shreveport, La., 52 weeks a year. The replacement vans are needed because they have to make a 140-mile round trip to Shreveport (420 miles a week total).
Greg Beck, the council’s president, said Friday’s fundraiser took in $1,814— an amount that might be a record since recent annual cook-offs usually took in about $1,100 on average. Beck added that Friday’s total included $400 donated by the Soldiers For Christ organization.
“We want to thank all the cooks, participants and patrons for their support,” Beck said.
Kenda Watson, administrative officer for the Texarkana Veterans Outpatient Clinic, said the clinic staff named their homemade chili Heroes’ Chili since all veterans are heroes.
“This is an event we started participating in two years ago and we will stay with it,” she said.
Members of the Texas A&M UniversityTexarkana’s Student Veterans Association said this year is also their second year of participation and they will be holding another fundraiser at On The Border restaurant from 6 p.m. to 9 p.,m. Feb. 20.
Following the event, customers got to cast their votes for People’s Choiceand Best Presentation chilis. At which time the Wolf’s Hole Hunters Club took home both awards just like it did last year as well as in several years past.
Other contestant results included:
CIVIC
First Place: Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter No. 278
Second Place: American Legion Post No. 25 (Old School)
Third Place: American Legion Post No. 25 Two Chicks Chili BUSINESS
First Place: ServProwater clean-up and house fire restoration services
Second Place: Texarkana Veterans Outpatient Clinic
Third Place: Dierksen Hospice INDIVIDUAL
First Place: Sylvia Romeriz Second Place: Jimmy Smith
Third Place: Nancy
Flowers