UCP's Online Auction is NOW OPEN
The 25th Annual UCP Chili Challenge on March 6, 2011, Raised More Than $120,000 to Support UCP's Programs!
Every year the Chili Challenge brings thousands of spectators, supporters, team members and auction-goers to the Civic Arena in downtown St. Joseph, Mo. A single admission price lets thousands of visitors sample dozens of chilis, while enjoying live music, browsing unique vendors, bidding on silent auction items, and chatting with hundreds of old, and new, friends.
In 2011, 58 teams competed for the Chili titles, and hundreds of local businesses donated items for the silent and online auctions. Approximately 3,000 guests attended, and more than $120,000 was generated to help provide support to UCP's programs.
25th Annual UCP Chili Challenge Awards:
Missouri State Champion:
1st Apple Market West, Todd Euler
2nd Hi Ho Bar and Grill, John Garvey
3rd Hi Ho Bar and Grill, John Garvey
1st Spontaneous Combustion II, Abe Black
2nd American Family Insurance, Scott Wineinger
3rd Hatfield's, Debbie Kingsley
4th Three Amigos, Van Hawxby
5th Knights of Columbus, Jimmy Edwards
1st Apple Market West, Todd Euler
2nd Hi Ho, John Garvey
3rd Hi Ho, John Garvey
4th Pop's Place, Steve Holland
5th Apple Market North, Sharon Smith
1st Ed Fisher, Nestle Purina $38,352
2nd Bill Swope, Scottish Rite $27,684
3rd John Thompson, Long Branch Crop Tours Limited $5,457
The competition really heats up -- not just for best chili in several categories, but for the coveted People's Choice Award.
Each year, teams recruit local donations before the Chili Challange to earn the title of People's Choice. The 2011 People's Choice award winner, St. Joseph's Nestle-Purina, brought in more than $38,000 for UCP's programs! In an equally remarkable effort, the Scottish Rite Boys Are Back chili team raised over $27,000 and captured 2nd place in the People’s Choice division. Third place was earned by Long Branch Crop Tours, with over $5,000 donated to UCP.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this year's anniversary Chili Challenge a tremendous success! On behalf of the families served by UCP, the board, staff and volunteers, we are so grateful.
See you Sunday, March 4th, 2012, for the 26th Annual UCP Chili Challenge!
Interested in the 2012 Chili Challenge? You can:
- Form a Chili Challenge Team and compete!
- Donate items for the Online or Silent Auction (a big part of the proceeds for UCP each year!)
- Bid, bid, bid! Bid on a great item or two for yourself, or a friend, from the Online Auction!
- Vote for your favorite team to win the People's Choice Award! (all vote proceeds to go UCP!)
- Bring your friends and family to the Civic Arena on March 4, 2012, to sample chili, bid on auction items, cast your votes, and have a great time!
