The third annual Chili Cook-Off to support the Coulee Region Humane Society (CRHS) will be held on Saturday, Nov. 8 from 5:30-8 p.m. It is $5 and open to the general public for all you can eat chili and a chance to rank each one you taste. It will be hosted at the Eagle’s Nest, 1914 Campbell Rd.
15 contestants will participate in the cook-off, and trophies will be given to the champion (1st place), 2nd place and 3rd place. Some of this year’s contestants include the Vanguards, Communication Club, Lion’s Club, Cru, the UW-L softball team and The Racquet.
The cook-off is sponsored by the UW-L CST 372 Audio Workshop course and helps support the student-run radio station, RAQ Radio. RAQ Radio is a great way for communication students to get the chance at developing their creativity in broadcasting.
Although 20 percent of the proceeds go towards RAQ Radio, the majority of fundraising is done to help the CRHS obtain necessary supplies, vaccinations and general care of the animals looking for loving homes. The CRHS works to actively promote the humane treatment of animals and positive human-animal relationships. The CRHS offers services in training, rescue, therapy, adoption and a number of ways to be a part of the amazing work they do.
The event also serves as a pre-telethon fundraiser benefiting both the CRHS and UW-L student organizations. The telethon will be held on Saturday, Nov. 22 from 7 to 10 p.m. It will be broadcasted live from the Wing Communication Studies TV studio. UW-L communication students will act as crew and co-hosts to the broadcast along with Rick Wilson form KQEG-TV. The show can be caught on KQEG channel 23, Charter 5 & 989, CenturyLink 4, & campus 6.  It will also be streamed out live via UStream.
The telethon has been supporting the CRHS for 16 years and also benefits WMCM-TV, a student-run television station that provides programs to the campus and community.
Ashley Konkel, a UW-L student and Social Media Manager for WMCM-TV, talked about her role in helping prepare for the cook-off.  She gathered individuals and organizations to volunteer their chili to be sampled and voted on by the people in attendance at the event. Konkel said that the event is special because it allows community members and UW-L student organizations to come to together not only for some great chili, but also to support a great cause.
“I’m very excited for the event because I will be MC’ing the fundraiser which will allow me to get a chance to show off the great culinary skills of my peers and community members,” Konkel said. “It will also allow me to help raise funds for two causes that I’m very passionate about.”
For more information about the event, RAQ or WMCM, you may contact Patricia Turner at [email protected].