CHILI COOKOFF CANCELED
In late August, Granite Construction announced to the community that the 2021 Chili Cookoff was cancelled. Plans to hold the beloved event were already in motion, but Granite Construction and the Boys & Girls Club of Ukiah felt led to prioritize the safety of the community.
So once again, the chili cookoff will live on in the hearts of the community.
“We need to raise funds for the Boys & Girls Club, that is the key thing,” says Club CEO Liz Elmore. “But the safety of everyone is really the paramount of the decision.”
Last year, the traditionally inperson event was transformed into a fantasy chili cook-off. The fantasy fundraiser inspired the community to raise $24,000 for BGCU, without any actual chili being tasted.
The annual chili cook-off continues to be fundamental for the sustainability of BGCU, as it provides a significant amount of funding for the daily running of the club.
“One of the beliefs and core values of the Boys & Girls Club is to not exclude anybody on the basis of financials,” Elmore says. “Anybody can join, that’s why we’re raising funds.”
BGCU is truly meant to be the kids’ club. Those who attend pay a nominal fee every day, which is established to help give them ownership of the club. It is not intended to cover the club’s costs in any way.
The club recently resumed after-school operation in accordance with the start of the school year and is anticipating regular attendance from 120 kids.
Nevertheless, with a new year comes new challenges for the club. Due to a current lack of bus drivers for Ukiah Unified School District, busing from school campuses to BGCU is currently unavailable for a majority of schools.
This has created a substantial issue for many families who utilize BGCU for after-school care, and some families have already had to withdraw their children’s attendance from the club over it.
Ukiah Unified has, however, been partnered with families in the district since January to pay their daily fees for the club. That funding has been extended through this year. “Now we just have to figure out how to get them there,” Elmore says.
Though fundraisers like the chili cook-off remain vitally important, keeping the club doors open is ultimately reliant on the community.
Perhaps one of the most distinctive triumphs of the chili cook-off has been its ability to bring dozens of local businesses and thousands of community members together every year for one night of unified support for BGCU.
There are many pieces to the event that collectively make it what it is. The allure of new chili recipes and unlimited samples of them all. The visual appeal of creatively decorated booths that local businesses have assembled as a team. The charms of good, old-fashioned competition and the pride of taking home a ceramic award from Jan Hoyman Studios.
And above all, the warm feelings of community when Alex Thomas Plaza is crowded with families, young couples, longtime residents and everyone else in-between.
“The hard part is that this was an event that so many of our community members were looking forward to, because we haven’t seen each other in so long,” Elmore says.
As soon as the decision to cancel the cook-off was made, Granite Construction opened an ongoing fundraiser to help sponsor the children at BGCU.
While any amount will be gratefully accepted, for every $300 donation, supporters will be entered in a three-prize raffle. The prizes include a barbeque donated by Friedman’s, 4000 gallons of water donated by Hoenig Trucking and 24 tons of baserock donated by Granite Construction.
Jan Hoyman is also making unique pieces that will be awarded to the top three “Most Generous” donors.
“Now that the event’s canceled, I want to make sure that our community still supports the Boys & Girls Club,” Jason Woelbing says. As a longtime Granite Construction employee, Woelbing has also been coordinator of the chili cookoff for the past eight years.
Woelbing continues, “I’m concerned for the emotional well-being of the kids, that’s where my heart is. The Boys & Girls Club is one of those places that can support that, so that’s why I feel so strongly about it.”
Granite Construction has been committed to BGCU for 23 years, and in particular, Woelbing’s connection to the event has only deepened its roots farther into the community.
“He’s one of those guys that sees something and gets it done and always is trying to help the Boys & Girls Club, in the fact of how we can improve this particular event to help raise more funds,” Elmore says appreciatively.
Despite circumstantial challenges, it is the belief that Woelbing and Granite Construction have in the club and in the values BGCU instills in the children of the community that continues to drive fundraising efforts.
The ever-present goal is to benefit the next generation, whatever it takes.
Donations can be sent to or dropped off at Granite Construction, 1324 S. State St., Ukiah, 95482. Checks must be written out to Boys & Girls Club of Ukiah. The fundraiser will close on September 10.
“Now that the event’s canceled, I want to make sure that our community still supports the Boys & Girls Club.” — Jason Woelbing