Earlier this month Real Estate Broker Lori Ross sponsored and hosted Movie Night in the Park in TrailMark. As the event drew near, what began as a simple opportunity to provide a fun service as a realtor and to mingle with neighbors, started to morph into this whimsical occasion to pay back the heroes who selflessly serve our community and communities across the nation – and Lori Ross’ 1st Annual Chili Cook-off Fundraiser at TrailMark was born with proceeds going to benefit the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
“With only 2 weeks to put it together I thought it would be lightly attended and have a modest number of entries – I was guessing 6 to10 chilis. I set my fundraising goal to $500 feeling that was fairly ambitious but wanting to stretch myself as well as my friends and neighbors. TWENTY Chili entries later I had far exceeded my goal and the park boomed with TrailMark neighbors coming out to participate and support. Every chili pot went home empty and donations totaled over $800. Imagine how great this event will be next year when I actually have time to plan and market it the way I’d like to.
I want to give a BIG THANK YOU to Ken Colaizzi and Marina Dubrova for their generous gift card donations which were awarded to the winners! Congratulations to those winners hand-picked by the Fireman of Station #19 South Metro Fire Rescue and their well-trained taste buds! Lauren Woodin took white chili category with her delicious (and classified) white chili recipe; Tim Lancaster knocked it out of the park with a red chili recipe of his own on-the-spot design – WOW; Kate Johnson really tested the judges with her winning fabulous green chili narrowly beating Lexie Ross’ outstanding entry and the Fan Favorite Janet Wehymiller rewarded everyone with her yummy white chili – winning the majority of the online voters. Our very own fabulous Firefighters here at Station #19 in TrailMark did a great job judging and also providing lots of smiles and happiness to our younger (and shorter) residents with an Engine tour, safety tips and of course Fire Helmets. Never underestimate the power of a good cause,” Lori Ross told.
