Chili Cookoff Raises $11,500
FLOYD, VA — The Rotary Club of Floyd recently presented checks to Floyd County Emergency Medical Services, the Floyd Volunteer Fire Department, and the Floyd County Sheriff’s Department following the success of its Annual Chili Cookoff fundraiser, which raised over $11,500.
The cookoff, held last fall at Citizens Coop in partnership with the Citizens Coop Community Concert, brought the community together for an evening of friendly competition, live music, and support for local first responders.
The three beneficiary organizations competed in the chili showdown, with community members invited to sample each entry. Attendees purchased $1 voting tickets to determine a separate People’s Choice award, with proceeds from those ticket sales going directly to the winning organization. The Floyd Volunteer Fire Department earned both the Judges’ Choice and the People’s Choice honors.
Clark Gas & Oil presented a total of $5,000 during the event to support the three participating agencies.
A panel of local judges selected the Judges’ Choice winner. Judges included Eric Branscome, Commonwealth’s Attorney for Floyd County; Kathy Fetts, Executive Director of the Floyd County Chamber of Commerce; Alee Epperly, Co-Owner of Dogtown Roadhouse; Kim Chiddo, Floyd County Administrator; and Kevin Sowers, Floyd County Director of Public Safety.
“The Chili Cookoff is a wonderful example of how Floyd County comes together to support the people who serve and protect our community every day,” said Kelly Weeks, President of the Rotary Club of Floyd. “We are grateful to our sponsors, participants, and everyone who attended. The generosity shown throughout this event directly strengthens our local emergency services.”
The fundraiser highlighted the strong partnership between civic organizations, local businesses, and public safety agencies, reinforcing Rotary’s ongoing commitment to community service.
Event sponsors were Platinum Sponsor: Clark Gas & Oil Co. and Citizens Telephone Coop; Gold Sponsors: Bon Vue Investment Co., John Paul Houston, and Tendergrass; Silver Sponsors: Buffalo Mountain Ziplines, Floyd Eco Village, Hotel Floyd, and Wall Residences; Supporting Sponsors: Little River Holdings, Skyline National Bank, The Buffalo Hemp Company, and Thomas & Wall Real Estate.
For more information about Rotary Club of Floyd initiatives, contact the organization through its Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/floydrotary.
