October 28, 2022
By: Tecia Puckett Pryor, Development Committee Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County, Tennessee, Inc
It was a record-breaking day for the 18th Annual Habitat for Humanity Chili Cook-off and Bake Sale, held on Friday under sunny skies on the lawn of the DeKalb County Courthouse. Twenty-one chili teams participated in the cook-off; over 600 bowls of chili were served; and $9,300 was raised for Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County, which will be used towards the building of the next Habitat house in 2023. Habitat officials report that this was the most successful cook-off in the history of its chili cook-off, which began in 2004.
“The Courthouse Gang” from DeKalb County Officials took Top Chili Honors, with the “Top Gunners” from Amvets Post 101 placing second. Third place chili honors went to “First Finest Chili” from FirstBank.
The Best Decorated Booth Award went to Smithville Electric System; with “The Courthouse Gang” from DeKalb County Officials coming in second place and “Great Bowls of Fire” from the DeKalb County Fire Department placing third.
The Golden Spoon Award went to “The Courthouse Gang” from the DeKalb County Officials, who raised the most additional money for Habitat in cash donations at their booth, with Smithville Electric coming in second and the “DCHS Biting Tigers” from DCHS FCCLA coming in third.
Rounding out the participating teams were: “DeKalb Democrats” from the DeKalb County Democratic Party; “Great Bowls of Fire” from the DeKalb County Fire Department; “Dr. Crow’s Chili Shots” from DeKalb County Health Department; “Spot On Chili” from DeKalb Market; “Chil…i To the Bone” from DeKalb Prevention Coalition; “Snatched from the Fire” from First Baptist Church; “Blazin Broncos” from Galaxy Ford; “The Loan Rangers” from Liberty State Bank; “Marines” from Marine Corps League DeKalb VSO; “MTNG – Out of This World Chili” from Middle Tennessee Natural Gas; State Farm, Mallory Pfingstler; “Legal Limit Spice” from the office of Tecia Puckett Pryor, Attorney-at-Law/Center Hill Title, LLC; “Tennessee ‘Meats’ Texas” from WY Forge Co; “Hot Checks Chili” from Wilson Bank and Trust; Adoration Home Health; and Hywater Title.
Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County thanks each of these teams for making this a record-setting day and for their enthusiasm and support of the event; all those who donated the delicious baked goods; City Mayor Josh Miller and his staff and County Mayor Matt Adcock and his staff for facilitating the event space; and all the fine folks of the community who came out to support Habitat and this great community event.
Habitat also thanks the following for their donations: DeKalb Title, Swallows Insurance Agency, and Janney and Associates for sponsoring the “Treat Tent;” Lucas Antoniak for his design services; Evins Mill for water, Dr. Pepper for drinks; Smithville Food Lion for cheese, crackers and drinks; Jack Barton for promotional yard signs; Smithville Fire Department for ice; Smithville Electric System for ensuring we had power and putting up the temporary electric pole; Middle Tennessee Natural Gas for tables and chairs; DCHS Tiger Bakery and local churches for baked goods.
Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County is a locally run affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization. Habitat for Humanity builds and renovates houses in partnership with volunteers and families in need, regardless of their ethnic or religious background. The houses then are sold to those in need at no profit and with no interest charged. To contact Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County, please call 215-8181 or find them on Facebook @HFHDeKalb TN.