Tillsonburg campaign wraps up with chili cook-off
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The annual Tillsonburg United Way campaign wrapped up Wednesday with a fundraising chili cook-off between town employees, for the non-profit organization.
“This is something that the Town of Tillsonburg runs through their annual United Way campaign,” said Shelley Lachapelle, campaign manager with United Way Oxford. “They have volunteers who cook chili, you get a sample size of chili - it costs $1 for each sample and this year there’s nine chili’s to choose from.”
Entries in the chili cook-off, from various town departments, competed for an specialized hand-made apron bearing the words ‘Chief Chili Creator’ and bragging rights for the best chili among Town of Tillsonburg staff. After enjoying several types of chili ranging in flavour and spice, participants voted on their favourite chili.
“They put this great event together to encourage people to come out and support the United Way – all proceeds go to United Way Oxford,” she added. “This is the Town of Tillsonburg’s second year doing it, and I do think they’re looking at making the chili cook-off an annual event for people to look forward to.”
Every fall, United Way Oxford launches their annual fundraising campaign, with localized events held at various locations in towns and cities across the county. This year, Tillsonburg’s campaign ran for a total of ten days between Monday November 26 to Wednesday December 5.
“Our 2012 goal is 1.1 million dollars and that encompasses all of Oxford County. We work with individual work places throughout the county, like the Town of Tillsonburg and they get to decide which days they would like to run their campaign – it can be a week long, a day long or two weeks long, it’s completely up to the workplace to encourage participation and get involved,” explained Lachapelle.
Over 50 workers from across the town came out to support the United Way during the chili cook-off Wednesday noted Rick Cox, Parks and Recreation Director with the Town of Tillsonburg.
“Our participation was probably close to 80 percent of the staff on duty today and some on vacation came in too - someone on vacation contributed a chili and several people on vacation came to vote and participate, so it was very well received,” he said.
Lachapelle spoke of the important role an organization like the United Way Oxford plays in a community, providing much needed services and programs across the county.
“Traditionally United Way has been known as an umbrella fundraising organization. We have 13 member agencies that we currently support with various programs and services in those organizations, but we also support different organizations through our community initiative fund,” said Lachapelle. “It’s important to know that dollars raised in Oxford County stay in Oxford County and they’re invested in programs and services here in Tillsonburg, Woodstock, Ingersoll, Tavistock and all throughout the county.”
The United Way works with agencies such as the Red Cross, the transportation subsidy program, the VON and the Oxford County Nutritional Partnership.
It aims to make sure that people have access to help when they need it most.
“United Way really wants to look at the community impact, and the impact the programs are having locally on our citizens,” said Lachapelle.
“It’s important to fund immediate needs but it’s also important to look at the causes of those social problems, work with other organizations in at our communities to get at some solutions and develop a plan that will help make a difference right from the start.”