Southport Magazine

Local heroes battle to help kids

STORY BY: LISA P. STITES

Fall in Brunswick County means cooler temperatures, fishing, high school football and chili. The Southeast Brunswick Civitan Club’s 5^th annual Local Heroes Chili Cook-Off fits right in to this busy fall lineup.

The Civitan’s Chili Cook-Off is Saturday, November 14 from 12:30 p.m. until 3 p.m. at the Moose Lodge, 4239 Long Beach Road, on the mainland near Oak Island. The $5 ticket price includes a sampling of all the entries and an automatic entry into a raffle for door prizes. Attendees will get a ballot they can use to judge the contestants’ chili. There will be a bake sale, 50/50 raffle and fire truck tours for the children. There will also be live music entertainment.

Southeast Brunswick Civitan Club President and Chili Cook-Off chairman Jonathan Peele said last year, there were a dozen competitors, six in each of two categories.

The Chili Cook Off pits local heroes – fire departments, rescue squads, police departments and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary against each other. The grand prize? Bragging rights and the privilege of displaying the winner’s trophy for the coming year. The second category of contestants features area restaurants, also pursuing bragging rights.

The event is a fundraiser for the local chapter of Civitan International. For seven years now, the local chapter has been helping to support the Boys and Girls Home of Lake Wacamaw, Special Olympics and other events in Brunswick County designed to help those with developmental disabilities. The North Carolina District east division of Civitan supports a research program at Duke Child Development Unit on Duke University campus and Civitan International also supports a research facility in Alabama.

Most of the proceeds from the event will go toward buying iPads and applications to be used in Exceptional Classrooms in Brunswick County, called the Civitan’s Apple Project. Peele said there are 100 such classrooms and that the club has donated 20 iPads so far. Peele said he thinks it’s hard for people to understand the strong impact an iPad can have in the classroom for children who learn differently.

“I just can’t believe that a device the size of a piece of paper can make such a difference,” he said. “It gives children hope and the opportunity to know that learning can be fun.” Children with learning disabilities, such as autism, can have trouble focusing in a traditional classroom setting, Peele said. “I believe what we’re doing – we are assisting in the overall fight to help children with disabilities and helping to find ways to make learning easier for them,” he said.

The idea for the Local Heroes Chili Cook-Off grew out of the Club’s desire to have an annual signature event, Peele said. The group also wanted it to be a laid-back, casual event, and the club members wanted to give the local heroes a chance to see the communities they serve under different circumstances.

“We see the Fire Departments,” Peele said,” but we do not see the men behind the scene. This gives them a chance to interact with the community.”

Besides the People’s Choice Award, decided by ballot following the tastings, there will also be a Judge’s Award. Previous business winners received a plaque; Fat Andy’s on Long Beach Road proudly displays a winner’s plaque there, Peele said. This year, there’s an added bonus for the commercial winner – a perpetual cup which will be passed from winner to winner each year.

Peele said two fire departments in particular have participated every year, the Oak Island Fire Department and the Supply Volunteer Fire Department. Chief Chris Anselmo from the Oak Island Department and Chief Bailey of the Supply Department have been good supporters of the cook-off, Peele said. There is good-natured competition between all the departments when they compete against each other, he said.

Chief Anselmo agreed that the competition between departments is all in good fun.

“Winning any contest within the fire department community is cause for bragging rights amongst each other,” Chief Anselmo said. That’s what makes it fun. Unfortunately, fire departments rarely interact together outside of emergency situations so an event like this a great way for the fire departments to get together in a positive environment.”

The Oak Island Fire Department’s entries in the contest have been cooked by different members. Chief Anselmo said Capt. Jose Snapp cooked one year and Lt. Browning made it one year, so the recipe changes. The Department has yet to take first place, but maybe this could be the year.

While bragging rights would be great, Chief Anselmo said he’s just glad to be a part of the fundraiser.

“We participate because we believe it’s a great cause. The money that is raised helps local schools by purchasing needed supplies such as tablets. As a public service agency, I believe it is important to be involved in these types of events in the community,” the chief said.

He said he also appreciates the chance to meet with citizens under relaxed circumstances. Last year, Peele said between 350 and 400 people attended the Cook Off. Chief Anselmo said the “Local Heroes” have had great positive feedback for participating.

“People have not only thanked us specifically for this event, but also for the job we do every day,” he said. “We hear it on the street sometimes but not a lot, so to hear it through events like this means a lot. It’s not so important for me to hear it as I’ve been in this business for a long time but it’s awesome when my staff hears it and I see that they truly appreciate the thanks. It defines to them that they really do make a difference and that’s enough for me.”

Chief Anselmo also said he really appreciates the Civitan Club for putting the event together every year.

“It’s great fun for a great cause. As firefighters and EMS workers, we typically see people on their worst day,” Chief Anselmo said. It’s great to get involved in community events that start and end in a positive way.

Civitan International is an organization of volunteer service clubs around the world, dedicated to helping people in their own communities, according to the organization’s website. “Civitans help wherever the need arises – from collecting food for a homeless shelter, to volunteering at their local retirement home, to building a playground for children with disabilities. Civitans have been helping people since the organization’s founding in 1917, by a group of businessmen determined to make a difference in their community.”