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Fort Pierce Exchange Club
Meeting each Thursday at noon, Norris's Famous Place for Ribs, 6798 South US-1 Port St Lucie. Driving Directions Home of the Chili Cook-Of over $2,000,000.00 raised for the Prevention of Child Abuse Mission Statement
Exchange, America's Service Club, is a group of men and women working together to make our communities better places to live through programs of service in Americanism, Community Service, Youth Activities, and its national project, the Prevention of Child Abuse.
| The Fort Pierce Exchange Club Annual Chili Cook-Off
An Historical Perspective
Prepared by Ray Isenburg/Charter Member Editor's note- In 2007 the Cook-Off surpassed the 2 million dollar goal and continues to raise money
Initiated in July 1982, the Annual Chili Cook-Off has developed into a summer highlight for residents of the Treasure Coast. The event was actually conceived by a group of patrons who frequented the “Rodeo,” at the Holiday Inn, on Okeechobee Road, at the Turnpike Exit. Will Jansen, the manager of the Holiday Inn in 1982, just happened to be a member of the Fort Pierce Exchange Club and thought the Cook-Off would be an excellent fund raiser for the civic organization. In reality, any type of fund raiser would have been appreciated since the Fort Pierce club had established a rather dismal track record for generating revenue to fund a variety of worthwhile projects. The proposal to organize the Cook-Off coincided with a National Exchange Club initiative directed toward the prevention of child abuse (the project was referred to as SCAN representing Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect), and the local Exchange members quickly decided to earmark the funds raised to support the national project and help establish a Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse for the local community.
The first Chili Cook-Off was conducted in the parking lot of the Holiday Inn, and 33 teams participated. The team comprised of members of the Crystal Restaurant and Town and County Hair Salon won top honors in the preparation of chili. Today, the award for best chili is named in honor of Jim Lamb, the wining chef at the inaugural event. In year three of the event, Jim Lamb shared his winning chili recipe with a fellow competitor, Charles Bengyak, owner of The Silver and Gold Exchange. Needless to say, Jim was quite shocked and somewhat dismayed when the Silver and Gold Exchange was awarded first place for best chili.
Fund raising efforts have become very competitive over the history of the Cook-Off. In year one, the Bell South Pioneers battled for top honors with a group known as the B.B.C. Several members of the B.B.C. team were the originators of the Cook-Off and frequented the Holiday Inn on a regular basis. Many participants in the early Cook-Offs will remember Ray Alford, a devoted supporter of the event, leader of the B.B.C. and a man committed to the prevention of child abuse.
The Cook-Off was conducted for its first few years of existence at the Holiday Inn. When the event outgrew the hotel’s parking lot, the festivities were moved to the St. Lucie County Civic Center in the mid 1980s. The Cook-Off also grew to a two-day event beginning with a Friday evening celebration followed by the actual Cook-Off on Saturday. The fact that the Cook-Off has been conducted in July is simply because of tradition. The first event was held in the month of July. For two decades there was never a suggestion to change the date or location since no one wanted to tamper with the success that the Cook-Off experienced. Of course, in 2005, the date and location had to be altered due to the influence of Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne and the significant damage caused at the Civic Center.
Over the years, there have been a number of memorable moments, a variety of Cook-Off themes, hundreds of teams, and thousands of participants involved. Themes for the Cook-Offs have been quite diverse and included Mexican Fiesta, Beach Party, Mardi gras, Famous Cartoon Characters, and Tribute to Elvis. Southern Eagle Distributing, Harbor Federal Savings Bank, and The Tribune are three teams that have been involved in the Cook-Off since inception. Riverside National Bank has been actively involved for more than twenty years. Recently, a number of St. Lucie County governmental agencies have become very competitive at the Cook-Off. Employees of the St. Lucie County Clerk of the Circuit Court, Board of County Commissioners, Office of the Tax Collector, and Property Appraiser have added significantly to the annual festivities. Certain teams have concentrated their efforts on fundraising such as Norris’s Famous Place for Ribs. Other teams have focused on showmanship coupled with fundraising. The showmanship category is quite competitive and encompasses four distinct elements: Parade Entrance, Costuming, Booth, and Stage Performance. Dr. Bob (Gehrig) and Associates became well-known for their elaborate costuming, booth construction, and contributions to the Cook-Offs. This year’s theme, celebrating 25 years of years of Cook-Offs, encourages teams to select any theme used in the prior 24 events. The Silver Anniversary of the Chili Cook-Off should result in another spectacular display of creativity and originality by the various teams entered.
After 20 years of organizing the Annual Chili Cook-Off, the cumulative revenues generated topped the $1,000,000 mark directed toward the prevention of child abuse. Following the 2005 Cook-Off, the twenty-fourth event, the cumulative total rose to $1,700,000! A goal has been established to reach the $2,000,000 level by the year 2010, and the goal appears very attainable and highly realistic. Fund raising is a key element in the Cook-Off, and the competition becomes quite intense. Having been a charter member of the Fort Pierce Exchange Club since 1971 and participating in every Cook-Off since 1982, I have a unique perspective regarding the club and the event. It has been gratifying to become involved in a civic activity that directs all proceeds of the Cook-Off to support the prevention of child abuse. An activity that essentially began as a “whim” has become an established tradition for residents of St. Lucie County and the Treasure Coast. Today, the event is a major supporter of the Exchange Club CASTLE (Child Abuse Services, Training, and Life Enrichment). All the Exchange Club members are appreciative of the generosity of the local community and the effort put forth by the Cook-Off competitors. The teams that compete in the annual Cook-Off deserve sincere appreciation for their efforts. New teams such as Q.V.C. and First National Bank and Trust (now Seacoast National Bank) have joined “seasoned veterans” and have added additional spice to the competition.
The Cook-Off may be viewed as a fun event, and we sincerely hope that everyone who participates has a wonderful experience. However, the real benefits associated with the Cook-Off focus on the revenue generated and contributed to the CASTLE to be directed toward addressing the many complex issues associated with child abuse while enriching the lives of deserving families needing assistance.
| Donna Greene Chili Chairperson 2008 Chuck Kitzmiller - President 2008 Interested in the Chili Cook-Off Chili Cook-Off Hotline (772) 971-2653 Check back soon for all chili cook-off forms: for now call or email for entry or sponsorship applications! For more information about Exchange Clubs visit:
National Exchange Club |
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