Elgin Knights of Columbus Chili for Charity marks its 25th year

Posted February 23, 2023 10:00 pm

Susan Klovstad

The Elgin Knights of Columbus have been holding a Chili for Charity fundraiser for 25 years. Courtesy of Elgin Knights of Columbus

If you enjoy chili, here's a great way to sample a variety of home-cooked recipes, all for a nominal fee and a good cause.

At the Chili for Charity fundraiser, contestants serve up a variety of homemade chilis and attendees can sample as many as they like. Other foods, like hot dogs and salad, are available as well. Courtesy of Elgin Knights of Columbus

The Elgin Knights of Columbus will hold its 25th Annual Chili for Charity fundraiser from 3:30-7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, in the gymnasium at St. Thomas More Catholic School, 1625 W. Highland Ave., Elgin.

Donations are $10 at the door or $9 prior ticket sales. For tickets, contact Marshall Spangler at (847) 606-1605 or m.span50@yahoo.com.

Funds raised will benefit all Elgin Catholic Schools, the Elgin Soup Kitchen, and Elgin area youth sports.

The Daily Herald caught up with event organizer Chris Gulik to learn more.

Q. This is your organization's 25th annual chili cook-off. How did this event get started? How has it evolved or changed over the years?

A. It was started 25 years ago and was held at the Knights of Columbus hall. A member started with the intention of raising money to support his son's Little League Baseball team with a total of five chilis; it was attended by fewer than 50 people and raised $200. The Knights of Columbus decided to offer the event to the general public and it was moved to St. Thomas More in Elgin. It has grown to offering up to 48 different chilis ranging from hot, medium and mild and more than 600 people attending. It supports the Catholic schools in Elgin and the less fortunate in the community.

Kids can get their faces painted at the Elgin Knights of Columbus' Chili for Charity fundraiser. Courtesy of Elgin Knights of Columbus

Q. What is the deadline for someone to enter their chili in the contest?

A. The deadline was Feb. 15. The contestants will be competing for up to $1,000 in cash prizes for different categories.

Q. What are some of the odd, unique or memorable versions of chili that have been entered in (or that have won) the contest over the years?

A. Man Cave Chili, Kung Fu Panda Chili and Chili Chili Bang Bang among many others. Various recipes were served over the years, including chili with chicken, chili with turkey, chili with jerky, white bean chili, beanless chili and chili with chocolate.

Q. About how many attendees do you expect?

A. We expect 600-800.

Organizers of the 25th annual Chili for Charity fundraiser, held in the gymnasium at St. Thomas More, expect about 600-800 attendees. Courtesy of Elgin Knights of Columbus

Q. What can attendees expect, in terms of food and drink?

A. The $10 admission donation offers all-you-can-eat hot dogs, salad, bread, fruit punch, milk, chips and of course all the chili your stomach can handle. There will also be available pizza, water, soda and Dilly bars. In the past we had up to 48 different chilis ranging from hot, medium and mild. The chili is first come, first served, and generally the good ones are gone pretty quickly.

Q. Beyond food, what else takes place at this event?

A: There will be face painters, magicians, and balloon artists for the children. There will also be 50/50 raffle prizes during the event, and larger raffle prizes at the end of the event. It is a great, fun family event enjoyed by all, young and old alike.

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