Annual Dukes Memorial Hospital event raises money for United Way
By Blair Yankey
Dukes Memorial Hospital took the chill out of fall Tuesday with its eighth annual chili cook-off for The United Way of Miami County campaign goal.
Seven booths were set up in the Duke's cafeteria, with the employees dressed in Broadway musical themed costumes. The cost for the event was $5, which included 16 different chili tastings.
The event was coordinated by DMH Marketing Director Rachel Neighbor’s, who said she impressed with the turnout, adding that nearly 100 came through to support the cause.
“We raised about $300, which is about five percent of our company campaign goal, “she said. “We are a little more than halfway to our goal with about $4,000 total pledges so far this year a total goal of $7,000.”
Miami County United Way Director Debi Wallick said the costumes as well as the chili were judged for this year’s competition.
Of the various types of chili, the judges awarded the with chicken salsa chili as the best recipe.
Judges for the chili cook-off were Antonio Sawyer, Heidi Wright, Angie Braden, Jenny McQuinn, Carrie Young, Jennifer Yates, and Mary from DCS. Neighbors said the employees at Dukes played an integral role in the events success.
“they come out and get creative and put a lot of work into their chili and table decorations,” she said.”
“It is great to see the creativity of the staff, the support of both United Way board members as judges and the community that comes and tasted the varieties of chili.”