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Raising money with chili
by Frances Hayes
(Photo caption) Frances Hayes/staff photo-MIKE BULLOCK, right, is head cook for the annual Habitat for Humanity Chili Supper. Assisting him are his wife, Diana, and Gary Newman, far left.
The people just kept pouring into First Baptist Church of North Wilkesboro on Thursday night for what has become an annual tradition in March… a homemade chili dinner complete with corn on the cob, corn muffins, slaw and dessert.
All proceeds from the three-and-a-half hour benefit dinner go to Wilkes Habitat for Humanity. This was the 15th annual Habitat for Humanity Chili Supper, sponsored by the Women of First Baptist Church.
Each year the event raises approximately $3,000 for Wilkes Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian ministry, dedicated to providing housing for Wilkes families. Over 75 people volunteered in some capacity for the benefit, including 40 women who baked homemade cookies.
Around 550 plates were prepared on Thursday night. The head chef, Mike Bullock, and his wife, Diana, arrived early Thursday morning at Wayland Hall to begin cooking for the event. The two started early preparations for the benefit earlier in the week.
Bullock has been the lead chili cook since the fundraiser's beginning and has helped turn it into a well organized, efficient, but entertaining event.
Helping the Bullocks all day in the kitchen was Gary Newman, a Wilkes Habitat for Humanity board member, as well as a member of First Baptist Church. Also arriving early to assist with the event was Marcia Connelly, team leader for the Women of the Church.
Teams were rotated throughout the event to pack take out plates or serve people who chose to eat in the dining area of Wayland Hall.
"Every year we figure out ways to improve the dinner for the next year," said Mrs. Connelly.
Proceeds from this year's chili supper will go toward the fifth local house built by the Trinity, composed of First Baptist, North Wilkesboro Presbyterian and First United Methodist Churches. Construction on the house could begin this summer in North Wilkesboro.
Habitat for Humanity homes are built using volunteer labor, along with sweat equity from homebuyer families to keep construction costs low. Qualifying families purchase the completed homes and repay Habitat with a zero interest mortgage.
Wilkes Habitat for Humanity was chartered as an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International in 1992 and has completed 20 homes in Wilkes with number 21 nearing completion.
The executive director is Isaac Kerns, who assisted with serving at the chili supper. Officers are Danny Holman, president; Chuck Elledge, vice president; Jean Melton, treasurer and Amy Blair, secretary.
In 2008, the Wilkes Habitat for Humanity Re-Store opened on Cothren Street in Wilkesboro. Proceeds from the store, largely stocked with donations from local residents, businesses and a supply of home-related merchandise donated by Lowe's, helps Habitat build more homes for Wilkes families.
For more information on Wilkes Habitat for Humanity call 838-3044 or go to info@wikeshabitat.org. |
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