Chili, Churches, and Charities

By: Erin Gingerich, ENGL 336 .001

On November 4th, the Frostburg United Methodist Church was decorated with fiesta tablecloths and chili peppers lights for United Campus Ministry’s Chili Cook-off. As chili lovers lined up at the door, they were given ballots, and raffle tickets for the children. Participants were able to choose from thirteen different chilies along with a side of salad and a dessert. The chilies varied anywhere from sweet to spicy and vegetarian to meaty. UCM members worked the ticket table, and served the chili, sides, and drinks.

United Campus Ministries is a Christian organization on Frostburg State University campus; the group is led by Chaplin Cindy Zirlott. The Chili Cook-off was an event to fundraise for UCM’s various activities and refreshments. UCM meets weekly in Tawes 161 on Wednesdays for their Spiritual Study Break at 9pm and Sundays at 6:45pm for their True North meetings. The group also does worship services at various local churches through their worship and skit teams. Sponsoring churches are able to make donations to the group so they can continue their outreach.

The Chili Cook-off allowed each participant to taste five different chilies and vote on their favorite. Jen Cruz, a sophomore and UCM member, and Johanna Zelaya, a freshman, provided free Latin dance lessons, and there was a ring toss and piñata for children. As the red chili pepper piñata was raised in the air, a little boy swung his stick in the air, almost hitting Michael Changwe, a sophomore and UCM member. Changwe worked the ring toss table and was brave enough to hold up the piñata as blindfolded children took their turns.

The Chili Cook-off awarded prizes to winning chili cookers. The 1st place winner was awarded a chili pot trophy, 1st place ribbon, ladle, and $100 to donate to the charity of their choice. The second place winner was awarded a container of salsa and $75 for their favorite charity, and the third place winner received a can of beans and $50 to the charity of their choice.

After the first place award was awarded to Jen Webber, pastor of United Methodist Church (pictured above, left), and Latisha Cooper (pictured above, right), the two jumped up and down with bright smiles on their faces. The team named their chili ‘Heaven’s Fire.’ Originally Cooper wanted to dub their chili ‘Hell’s Fire,’ but the pair decided ‘Heaven’s Fire’ was more appropriate for the event. In regards to what she thought about the cook off, Webber said, “It was a lot of fun and we were happy to help UCM.” Webber and Cooper donated their prize to the Bridge Program, which is a preschool before and after care program. The second prize winner was Marlen Hammersmith, and the third was the First Presbyterian Church of Frostburg team.

This event not only allowed UCM to fundraise for their organization, but outreach to the community. Aaron Ware, a junior and member of UCM, said that the sponsoring events off campus are important because “it gets people together with the community.” He also said that it “shows we aren’t just a bunch of college kids, but we’re here to help.” As participants left smiling with full bellies of chili, it seemed as though UCM both fundraised for their organization and made a positive impression on their chili partakers.