Fore Charity
Published: 12/06/2011 by Ken McEntee

 
As this article is being written, snow is falling on Northeast Ohio. That can mean only one thing: It’s almost time for the B’laster Chili Open Golf Classic, hosted by the Rotary Club of Strongsville.
 
The 2012 B’laster Chili Open will be held on Saturday, February 25, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, in Berea.
 
You don’t have to golf to have a B’last at the Chili Open.
 
Of course, for the hardcore veterans of the fundraiser that has netted almost $1.4 million for local charities and Rotary projects at home and around the world, it just wouldn’t be a Northeast Ohio winter without 18 blustery holes of challenging golf. But those who prefer warm indoor fun will be thrilled to know that the charity event also features a high-intensity celebrity auction and hourly raffles, along with all the food and beverages they can consume.
 
“The Chili Open is the best kept secret in Northeast Ohio,” opines Bob Hale, Cleveland’s most sought-after benefit auctioneer. “It is truly a great event.”
 
Bob, owner of Benefit Auction Services, peddles tens of thousands of dollars worth of donated items every year at the Chili Open celebrity auction, which features some of some of Cleveland’s top radio and television personalities and athletes.
 
Auctioneers in past years have included WTAM 1100 AM’s Bill Wills and Mike Snyder, of the Wills & Snyder morning show; Jimmy Malone, of WMJI 105.7 FM’s Lanigan and Malone Show; Betsy Kling and Bruce Kalinowski, of WKYC Channel 3; Jim McIntyre, of WDOK 102.1 FM; former Browns Mike Pagel and Mike Pruitt; and former Cavalier Larry Nance.
 
Each year a group of local charitable organizations is selected to receive proceeds from the event. Chili Open proceeds have provided hope to adults and children with disabilities and diseases, assisted the terminally ill in hospice care, encouraged disadvantaged youth through academic programs and scholarships, and supported such cultural programs as the Singing Angels.
 
“Chili Open is a unique event that brings people together with wonderful sponsors and generous participants who make dreams possible for a lot of people,” says Sheila Dunn, president of Easter Seals Northeast Ohio, which has been a beneficiary of the Chili Open.
 
Always at the center of the non-stop auction excitement are the Hat Guys—also known as the Mad Hatters—a group of high-energy buds who assemble once a year to eat, drink and buy stuff. The Hat Guys have been fixtures at every Chili Open since the event began.
 
“The Chili Open is a great event with a fun atmosphere and it’s all for an excellent cause,” says Bill Henry, the top hatter.
 
The huge spread of eats, as always, will feature hot Wendy’s chili and plenty of cold beer.
 
The Strongsville Rotary Club organizes the Chili Open, but it’s the generous support of sponsors, like title sponsor, B’laster Corp., along with Today’s Business Products, First Merit Bank, Strongsville Mini Storage, Wendy’s, AlphaGraphics, Pat Catan’s, Clear Channel, Bullseye Activewear and, of course, Mimi, that makes it happen. Chili Open offers area businesses a wonderful opportunity to promote themselves in a fun way, while providing vital support to area charities that give care and joy to thousands of children and adults.
 
Sponsorships range between $200 to sponsor a tee and $16,000 for the title sponsorship. With that investment, a business can help provide essential financial assistance to carefully selected organizations that depend on donations to carry on their work. At the same time, sponsors receive valuable exposure.
 
You can help support local charities, too—and have a great time doing it—by joining B’laster and the Strongsville Rotary for golf and a good time.
 
You can learn more about sponsorship opportunities or register online at www.blasterchiliopen.org. You can call the Chili Open Hotline, at 216-898-4719.

While party goers were enjoying food samplings from 15 area restaurants and specialty businesses, they had an opportunity to bid on over 120 packages as part of the event’s silent auction.  Masters of Ceremony Sue Wilson and Scott Wynn, morning show hosts of WQMX 94.9, helped encourage spirited bidding by describing many of the items available for purchase and how the proceeds from those purchases helped support Goodwill’s mission of helping individuals prepare for, find and retain employment.   Auctioneer Bob Hale of Benefit Auction Services kept the bidding excitement going during the live auction and was especially energized during the hand up portion of the auction raising more than $6,850 in support of the agency’s radio reading services ~ WEYE Seeing Eye Radio.

Rounding out the evening was ~ a Vintage Voyage~ fashion show spanning the decades. The show, MC’d by Scott and Sue, featured 40 models wearing garments from Goodwill’s Vintage Clothing Collection.  From the roaring 20’s, the groovy 60’s, through the disco era and everything in between, models donned the stage to the overwhelming enjoyment of the crowd.  Event volunteers and even several of the party-goers joined in the theme by also wearing vintage clothing!

Participating restaurants and caterers supporting the event included Akron Woman’s City Club, Earth Fare, Festive Food Catering – Mature Services Inc., Great Harvest Bread Company, The Bakery at Hattie’s Café, House of Hunan (Fairlawn), Little City Caterers, Mobile Meals, Inc., Pearl Coffee Company, Robert J. – Events & Catering, Saffron Patch of Akron, The Stew Pot Kitchen, University Dining Services at The University of Akron, West Point Market, and The West Side Bakery.

Event sponsors included OMNOVA Solutions, Inc. and W3 Wealth Management (Silver), BCG & Company, Bober Markey Fedorovich, Fifth Third Bank, Meaden & Moore, Welty Building Company, Ltd., and White Hat Management (Bronze) and In-Kind sponsors ~ Brent V Media, Rubber City Radio Group, The Green Room Spa, Shulan’s and T-Mobile.