Sacrifice

I think we can all imagine the sacrifice made by our volunteer firefighters. When there is an emergency, they’re not sitting at the firehouse waiting for the call. They’re at work, doing their paying job, and many of them have put in a full day before they ever don their fire gear and head out to a blaze.

Our local businesses sacrifice too, in a different way. They choose to sacrifice financially in order to enable the firefighters to do their job well. They do this by sponsoring The Big Chili Cook-Off which provides thousands of dollars annually in funding to our mountain area fire departments.

Thank you Incognito Solutions, for sponsoring our website which one can check out here. And thanks to US Bank and 8Z Real Estate which have both already come on board as repeat sponsors for our 2012 Cook-Off. We appreciate our sponsors and volunteers more than we can say!!

Thanks to the Banks

Thank you to the many banks which sent volunteers and were cash sponsors for The Big Chili Cook-Off! We appreciate you.

Chase Bank of Evergreen

Mutual of Omaha Bank

1st Bank

US Bank

Evergreen National Bank

Bank of the West

Who’s Making It Happen?

Sometimes people think if they can’t give the “big bucks” to an organization they believe in, then their gift really won’t have an impact. So what do they do? They don’t give.

But here in the Evergreen area, we do things a little bit differently. Here we understand that it’s all about community; it’s all about pulling together to make something big happen. This is why the smaller sponsors of The Big Chili are so important to us. They pull together and help make this event happen in support of our mountain area volunteer fire departments. To put it simply, The Big Chili Cook-Off  just wouldn’t be the same without them.

Thanks to our smaller sponsors.

Kittredge Auto Rebuilders  
Catamount Constructors
Morse Evergreen Autobody
EV Studios
8z Real Estate
Chase Bank Evergreen
CAM Colorado
Cactus Jack's

Leaving the Station

Last night when we gathered to thank the sponsors of the 2010 Big Chili Cook-off, and to honor, because we do it every chance we get, the volunteer firefighters who serve the mountain community, I realized in the meeting and the mingling that I was surrounded by greatness – greatness in the little things.  For in that room, which was the beautiful lounge in Bergen Park Fire Station, amongst the stunning flower arrangements from Holly Berry and the delicious food from Specialty Catering, and the inspiring music by Jeff Scarborough, while the candles flickered and the conversation grew, I saw a puzzle coming together.  Many pieces all directed toward the same purpose, so that in the end, when each piece was in place a Master Piece would result.  The Blue Spruce Kiwanis took on the effort of the Big Chili Cook-off several years ago, because they believed in the good that it did, after all, it raises funds for six area volunteer fire departments and you really can’t do better than that.  As time has passed this group of believers from Blue Spruce Kiwanis have grown to be true zealots, and their energy is infectious, spilling over onto the people around them, pushing the puzzle to grow larger and more productive.  There are many pieces still open in the puzzle, perhaps the one meant to be filled by one of you.  It is a fast train, bound for greatness, and we invite all who have that unquenchable spirit of giving to the community to climb aboard!

FirstBank Evergreen Stepping up to the Chili Bowl

The Big Chili Cook-off Music and Arts Festival is going for bigger, better, let’s blow the doors off this year, and FirstBank Evergreen has climbed on for the ride.  They were a big sponsor last year and they have signed on again, planning to join us on the day of the event to try their hand at chili making.  The Big Chili is thrilled to put our names on the same marquis as FirstBank.  They are a bank that has embedded themselves in the mountain community, offering their support to a wide variety of organizations, doing their part to keep it all moving.  It is a matter of heroes honoring heroes, when FirstBank buys in to support our Volunteer Firefighters.  As the saying goes, it takes one to know one!

Asphalt Artistry Paves the Way!

At the Big Chili we are proud of every one of our sponsors, but never more than when one of our Board Members steps forward and doubles his sponsorship from last year.  Asphalt Artistry will once again be supporting our Volunteer Firefighters with a cash donation, but owners Shane and Theresa Cook aren’t stopping there.  Theresa will be assisting in our artist area and Shane will be helping with the chili cooks, recruiting and signing up businesses for the $100 Chili Cook Sponsorships.  Asphalt Artistry has figured out the most important part about doing business in the mountain communities.  The contribution you make to the overall good of the people who live here has a lot to do with the success of the business you own.  It takes more than good prices and great service to earn the trust and loyalty of local residents.  It takes giving back in ways that are not always measurable in the immediate.  It takes buying in to the whole small town scene, where relationships are every bit as important as the cash in your pocket, and sometimes more.  We salute you Asphalt Artistry for the many years you have served this community with reliability and integrity and for your generous sponsorship of our firefighting and rescue services!

Mutual of Omaha Bank Joins the Big Chili!

The Big Chili Cook-off isn’t known for its refinement.  It is known for its flag waving, get on board, look at my new jeans, pour me a cold one, get excited or get out of the way attitude, and we’re proud of it.  We’re proud of the firefighters who give us everything they’ve got, and we’re proud of the community who comes to cheer us on, and we’re really proud of our sponsors, who once again this year, just like every year, are stepping up to help pay the bills.  As I have spoken to last year’s sponsors to see where we stand for this year, I have heard over and over, count me in again for this year.  The most recent sponsor to sign on is Mutual of Omaha Bank, which is really no surprise.  Just look around at the numerous non-profit events happening in the mountain communities this year and you will be hard pressed to find one that doesn’t sport a sponsorship from Mutual of Omaha.  Who ever thought that one of the best friends a town could have would be a bank.  Thank you Mutual of Omaha Bank.  You’re one of our favorites and we’re proud to say, you’re one of us!

US Bank Leading the Way

 

We are thrilled to announce that US Bank in Evergreen was a tremendous support of the 2010 Big Chili Cook-off, and they are the first to sign on for sponsorship of the 2011 Big Chili Cook-off.  They will be backing our volunteer fire departments again in 2011 with a generous cash donation, as well as providing volunteer support on the day of the event.  US Bank provides monetary support for a number of causes in the mountain communities and as a non-profit, the Big Chili knows that this partnership with US Bank is valuable in more ways than we can count.  We are proud to have our name associated with US Bank Evergreen and want to commend them for their insight and vision for the well-being of area residents.  Thank you US Bank!  This year promises to be bigger and better than ever, and your faith in this effort makes it all possible! 

http://www.usbank.com/en/PersonalHome.cfm