Chili cook-off kicking off: San Mateo firefighters organize family-friendly event benefiting MDA

The proceeds go toward the nonprofit MDA that strives to support children and adults with muscular disease. Sponsored by the San Mateo Firefighters’ Association and the International Association of Firefighters, $10 will get attendees all the chili they can taste, a full bowl of their favorite, one free drink and access to all sorts of entertainment.

For the first time, a classic car show has been interwoven into the 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. event with between 20 and 30 vehicles on display at the park’s Fitzgerald Ball Field just south of downtown.

Whether you’re into face painting, want to throw at the dunk tank, looking to jam out to live bands or just want to get your grub on, the cook-off makes having fun a charitable experience.

Last year’s event raised nearly $14,000 and helped support the MDA’s week long summer camp for kids with muscular disease, said San Mateo firefighter Andrew Martinez.

Martinez will again help cook nearly 50 gallons of chili and said visiting the kids at camp a few years ago is what inspires him to help.

“We got to go up there and see what it’s like for these kids, and actually got to speak with some of the parents. A lot of the parents have kids that need round-the-clock care, so this camp allows them the ability to focus on the other siblings or parts of their lives for a week. It was really touching,” Martinez said. “Our goal is to try to generate enough revenue to see if someday we could fund the whole camp … where the kids can kind of feel normal for just one week out of the year.”

For decades, firefighters have been huge supporters of the MDA, particularly through their notorious “fill-the-boot campaign.” But instead of putting them in harm’s way by standing on the street trying to flag down busy motorists, San Mateo city officials and the local department opted to start the cook-off as a safer, more community-oriented event, Martinez said.

This year, firefighters from the San Mateo, Foster City, Belmont, Menlo Park and Woodside departments will be bringing their special recipes to wow the judges and the crowd. Local businesses are also participating with Block 34, Three Restaurant, Kingston Café, Steelhead Brewing Company, Bonne Sante and the kitchen at Versailles senior apartment complex serving up their own concoctions.

Families, children and adults who benefit from events like these will also be attending and judging chili alongside members of the San Mateo City Council, said MDA Fundraising Coordinator Maggie Gori.

“Seeing the families there, you really get to understand what this is all about. It’s not just this event you attend, you see it firsthand, in front of your face. So it’s a really fun, but mission-driven event,” Gori said. “The funds raised through this event help the MDA’s [mission to] create a world free from the harmful effects of muscle diseases that often take away people’s ability to walk, move, talk, smile and even breathe.”

These events also help contribute to medical research, clinical trials and support groups for those with muscular diseases, Gori said. The MDA summer camps have a tremendous impact on the children who attend and leave calling it “the best week ever.” This year, nearly 80 kids attended in late July and organizers are hoping nearly 2,000 people will attend Saturday’s event to help support future camp-goers, Gori said.

San Mateo Fire Chief John Healy said although the department long participated in the fill the boot campaign, he’s glad the chili-cook off is now their signature event to support a good cause.

“We think it’s better received by the public because it’s an event where they can come out and enjoy themselves,” Healy said. “With today’s busy world, people really don’t have time to slow down and it’s kind of dangerous to be out on the street corner. … This is a much better, safer fundraiser to help support MDA.”

With food, music, drinks, cars and chili, there’s opportunities for people of all ages to enjoy the day. Firefighters across the nation have collectively raised nearly $500 million over the last few decades to support MDA and it’s thrilling to see events like Saturday make a difference, Gori said.

“Really just San Mateo overall deserves all the recognition in the world, because they have been just so dedicated to us. It’s just been unbelievable,” Gori said. “The fact that doctors and firemen, their professions are already dedicated to saving lives. Then they just go the extra mile and it’s really sweet.”

The Chili Cook-Off runs 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Central Park in San Mateo. Admission is $10 per person.

samantha@smdailyjournal.com

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