Rotary Chili Cook-off raises more than $3,600 toward polio fight

Despite a two-week postponement, the 14th annual Granville Chili Cook-off raised a big chunk of cash for Rotary International’s global fight to eradicate polio.

Held on Saturday, Nov. 10 in front of the Granville Inn, the event co-sponsored by the Rotary Club of Granville and the Inn raised over $3,600, according to a Rotary news release.

Rotary Fundraising Chair Andy Smutylo said the club will donate an even $3,700 to Rotary International’s battle to end polio around the world — a goal that is extraordinarily close to achievement. Averaging 350,000 new cases per year during the 1980s, only 19 cases have been reported so far this year in two nations.

“We raised $3,664.21 total from the event. That is amazing,” Smutylo said, crediting an increase in the number of event sponsors this year. “Last year we raised $3,367.”

Rotary Club president Chuck Peterson said the success of the event brings the Granville club very close to its overall goal of $5,000 for the fight to globally eradicate polio.

“We are planning at least one other event that we think will bring us to our $5,000 goal,” Peterson said, adding that anyone in the community interested in donating to the cause should contact a Rotarian.

Smutylo said the success was all the more amazing since the weather was dicey with rain postponing the event from its original Oct. 27 date. On the morning on Nov. 10, it was quite “chilly.”

First-place overall winner in the best-tasting chili category was the Granville Volunteer Fire Department, followed in second by the Licking County Humane Society and in third by the Going Green store.

Other winners were: Original recipe – Three Tigers Brewing; Vegan-Vegetarian, Friends of the Granville Library; People’s Choice – Two Men and a Crock; and Showmanship – Orthopedic Specialists and Sports Medicine.

How you can help

To donate to the Granville Rotary Club’s and Rotary International’s fight to end polio worldwide, mail a check to Rotary Club of Granville, P.O. Box 296, Granville, OH 43023.