Organizers astounded as The Center Cook-Off raises $32,675
(Talk of the Town photo by Jennifer Zartman Romano) Team captains from the recent The Center Cook-Off speak on stage about the event. Above, from left, is emcee RD Schrader, Dr. Gary Dillon, John Meister, Dick Buchanan and Mayor Jim Fleck.
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
From the outset, this year’s The Center Cook-Off looked like it would be a resounding success – and why wouldn’t it?
Attendance was estimated early on to exceed last year’s by at least 25 guests and knowing the Dekko Foundation would support any first-time donors by matching their gifts let board members’ minds rest a little easier as well. Furthermore, most teams agreed to donate their expenses, further increasing the opportunity for funds to be raised.
After some calculation last week, The Center director Jeff Wike was pleased to share that this year’s total funds raised were precisely $32,675 – up from what was an already impressive $27,150 raised in 2008, the event’s first run.
According to Wike’s figures, 40 additional people attended this year’s event, raising the attendance level to 350. Of the attendees, 80% were reported to have given a gift at some level – 59 of those donors supported The Center for the first time. Last year, there were 116 donors and this year there were 187 donors. Last year, 75% of the dinner’s attendees gave a gift.
This year’s event had one less sponsor and one less person who made a pledge in advance of the event, but once again this year, an anonymous donor provided $10,000 to the fundraiser’s bottom line.
With such a successful event, plans are obviously already in the works to plan the event again in 2010.
Participating teams included:
Team Doc Dillon was comprised of Senator Gary “Doc” Dillon, John Deathe, Bruce Slowey, Bob Addison and Marlene Addison. The team prepared a delicious menu of wild game prepared in unexpected and delightful ways, garnering them two of the top awards.
Team Parkview was comprised of Parkview Whitley Hospital COO John Meister, Candice Yeakle, Kathy Greenawalt, Bridget Johnson and chef Jacob Kemery. Team Parkview also took home one of the top awards.
Team City Comfort was comprised of Columbia City Mayor Jim Fleck, Rosie Coyle, Karen Rust, Ric Rust, Tom LaRue, Laurie Schuler, Brittany Hartman and Kyle Egolf.
Team Rotary was comprised of Dick Buchanan, Jacie Worrick, Ryan Wilson, Jim Banks, Amanda Banks, Jennifer Zartman Romano, Al Anderson and they were assisted by Aubrey Lee.
The Center Cookoff was once again coordinated by The Center board members including: RD Schrader, David Smith, Jerry Walker, Ann Dillon, Sue Fenker, Paul Meyer, John Cummings and Greg Woll. They were also assisted by staff members Jeff Wike, Brittany Hartman, Kyle Egolf and Laurie Schuler.