November 1, 2006

Kiwanis Clubs hold joint fund-raiser

Chili Cookoff, dinner nets gains for service clubs

By Carol Rosen
Editor

The smells were amazing as at least 120 people gathered Oct. 21 at the Camden Community Center for the first annual Chili Cookoff and BBQ. The joint venture by the Cambrian Park, Willow Glen and South San Jose Kiwanis clubs was designed for fun and to provide funds for service club projects including holiday parties and gifts for those less fortunate and scholarships for deserving students.

Leigh High School Key Club students helped out during the evening. Shown here with their Cambrian Park Kiwanis representative Nora Atwal, far left, are Key Club President Vista Khosraviani, project chair Ana Romero, Treasurer Umaysha Rahman, member Abigail Mesgana and Vice President Bethel Mesgana. Photos by Carol Rosen

While total funds are not yet confirmed, by press time they were more than $9,000. They will be split in three ways with the Cambrian club’s money going to the teen center, The Den, at the Camden Community Center.

The monies collected for the dinner and the raffle were all net profits, said Mike Rubino, president of the Willow Glen club. The corporate sponsors’ help allowed the evening to be total profit. The corporate sponsors were the city of San Jose, Coldwell Bankers, Green Waste, Ticor Title Company, Wine Shop at Home, GMAC Mortgage, Terrance Insurance, Princeton Capital, the Watkins Company, Varrelmann Design, Crisis Line for the Handicapped, Plaza Del Robles, Young Printing and Island Inkjet.

While the chili brought people in the door, the Kiwanians also served a BBQ tri-tip steak dinner as well as offered door prizes and held a raffle for gifts donated by Cambrian, Willow Glen and South San Jose businesses. The more than 50 raffle prizes included everything from a golf video and golf balls to jewelry to baskets of goodies. Dan Sheldon was the lucky guesser of a Hot Tamales candy jar. His guess of 1,342 won him the 1,336 hot tamales and $25.

The chili contest was judged by a panel of judges as well as those attending the dinner. The winners received first-, second- and third-place awards in both categories. Bob Santana won first place from both the judges and the people. He was a guest at the dinner from Campbell. The second place people’s choice went to Mary Jane Ybarra. She also was a guest, “but after such fun I plan to join the Cambrian Park Kiwanis,” she said.

Duon Zeroun, whose husband is a member of the South San Jose Kiwanis Club, won the second-place judge’s award and the third-place people’s choice award. She lives in Blossom Valley. All three took home trophies for their scrumptious chili.

Charlie DeHority, Liane Rice and Jack DeHority talk about winning raffles. Among Charlie’s winnings was a snowman while Jack won a bike helmet, golf balls and a golf video. The two are the sons of Kerrie and Laura Beth DeHority. She is a former president of the Cambrian Park club.

The evening also featured 20 classic cars in the parking lot, which drew both men and women out to see the vintage automobiles. There was even an enquiry to purchase one of the cars.

The final feature was a silent auction with a number of more expensive items for purchase.

In other Kiwanis news, Bay Area Clubs will join NBC11 weatherman John Farley again this year for a turkey/food drive. This year’s drive will be held on Nov. 18 at area Raleys, Nob Hill and Food Source grocery stores. Last year the drive collected enough turkeys for Second Harvest Food Bank to last through part of Christmas. Both KMTV and Kiwanis are hoping to do at least as well this year.

The Willow Glen Club held a Pumpkin Patch for kindergarten students at Willow Glen Elementary. The club also plans to offer children visits with Santa at the area tree lighting on Dec. 1 and at Santa’s House—at the Garden Theater Building—for the holiday season.

The Cambrian Park Club will offer its own Santa at the Dec. 9 breakfast with Santa at the Camden Community Center from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Former president Dave Littau plans to celebrate his birthday in a Santa suit.