WARRENTON, Ga. - It was all about raising money for a great cause. And along the way, there was some good eating to go with it.
A total of $335 was raised for the Warren County Relay for Life by members of the Mesena United Methodist Church and Friends Team last Saturday, as they sponsored a stew, soup and chili cookoff. The event, which drew dozens of people, was held at the Masonic Building in downtown Warrenton last Saturday.
It marked the first time such a cookoff had been held by church members and friends to raise money for the American Cancer Society.
"God told me that we should do this about four years ago, but we just never got around to it until now," said Nancy Thompson of Mesena, who served as chairwoman of the event. "It's really been a blessing to do this and try to raise money for such a great cause."
Ms. Thompson said all the work that went into making the event a success was "well worth it" for what was reaped from it.
Teresa Carter, who lives in Burke County and serves as community manager of Warren County for the American Cancer Society, said all of those involved in the cookoff deserved to be praised for their efforts.
"Events like this in Warrenton are very helpful in raising not only money, but awareness, too," said Ms. Carter, who also served as one of three judges for the cookoff. She was assisted in judging the cookoff by Thomson's new mayor Kenneth Usry and Jim Wallace.
Mr. Usry said he enjoyed serving as a judge and tasting the different stews, soups and chili.
"It was actually a lot of fun," said Mr. Usry, who kept the tally sheet for the judges, marking down which one the participants had made the best stew, soup or chili. Judging was based on taste, aroma, color and consistency. "Everybody did a good job and put forth a good effort. That was really what it was all about."
The cookoff was held in conjunction with First Saturday, which is sponsored every month by the Warren County Chamber of Commerce.
