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October 29, 2018The Texas County Memorial Hospital Healthcare Foundation is preparing for the 12th annual Chili Cook Off to be held on Saturday, Nov. 3rd from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Community Building at the Houston Chamber of Commerce Fairgrounds. The Foundation is hosting the event to raise funds to benefit TCMH Hospice of Care.
Jay Gentry, Healthcare Foundation director, is overseeing the Chili Cook Off event.
The Chili Cook Off will include 17 teams competing for six different titles. Attendees will have the opportunity to sample all the chili. The event will also include other entertainment such as live music by the band Chrome 45, a live auction, a chili dog eating contest and booths with special food or games.
Chili Cook Off teams consist of five people and are sponsored by business, organizations, and people in the area. Houston Walmart Supercenter; Bobby & Anne Kennedy; Justin Shelby & State Farm Insurance; Houston R-1 Schools; Raymondville United Methodist Church; Forbes Pharmacy Powered by Walgreens; Penmac Staffing; Gentry Residential Treatment Center; Peoples Community Bank; Dr. Selina Jeanise; Dr. Jason Loden; Air Evac LifeTeam; Landmark Bank; Dr. Cory Offutt; Dr. Doug Crase; Boyce & Bynum Pathology Lab; and Houston Chamber of Commerce have sponsored chili cooking teams.
The band Chrome 45, formed in 2016, is comprised of three people: Tim Henderson, Josh York and Andrew Stockard. The three band members, all Houston natives, met in high school, and Henderson and York have been playing together in various bands for the past 10 years.
“We play a wide array of genres from the 1950s to the 2000s, but we are primarily a classic rock cover band,” Henderson said.
“Both of my parents and Josh’s mom worked for TCMH for many years, and we all have deep connections to this community,” Henderson said. “We are honored to be able to play a show for an event that benefits such a good cause.”
A live auction, a major portion of the day’s fundraising, will be held at 2 p.m. in the Community Building and will feature handmade and donated items.
Chili Cook Off teams are currently raffling tickets for a Kawasaki Mule utility vehicle and a Ruger American 6.5 Creedmore. The raffle items will be awarded immediately following the live auction.
Brandon Beck, meteorologist at the Springfield television station KY3, will again serve as the master of ceremonies for the day’s events.
“Hospice of Care has a long tradition and a well-known reputation for providing physical, mental and spiritual care for terminally ill patients and their family members in the area regardless of their ability to pay for the services,” Gentry said. “Many people look forward to the annual hospice fundraising event as a way to give back to a charity that has benefited them, their family or friends.”
Hospice of Care provides end of life care for patients and their families regardless of a patient’s ability to pay for the service. If insurance coverage is not available, Hospice of Care may use Chili Cook Off funds to purchase medications in addition to providing care at no charge. Hospice of Care also uses funds from the cook off for palliative care training and materials for patients and the family and friends of hospice patients.
Last year, the Chili Cook Off event raised more than $59,000 for Hospice of Care, well above the set goal.
“We hope to raise $40,000 with this year’s event,” Gentry said, noting that the proceeds from the Chili Cook Off remain in Texas County to benefit area residents.
“We want everyone to come out to our event, bring their kids, and have an afternoon of fun while raising money for a very worthy cause,” Gentry said. “Once again, the Foundation board of directors and Hospice of Care staff are excited to bring this event to the community.”
Tickets to the event are $10 for adults and $5 for children 10 and under. They are available at the gate or through the Hospice of Care and the Healthcare Foundation at TCMH.
For more information about a sponsorship or to give a gift in support of the Chili Cook Off, contact the TCMH Healthcare Foundation at (417) 967-1377 or online at www.tcmh.org.