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Children’s Haven goes from chili to a marathon

Mar 21, 2011 | 4:03 PM

The bowls are empty but the cash remains.

The chili cook-off benefiting the Children’s Haven was a great success on Mar. 19, raising almost $8,000 for the organization.

Carol Soles, co-director of the Children’s Haven, said the event brought in money and was a great time for everyone involved.

“It was an absolute blast… there were so many people that came in off the street to buy a bowl of chili and we got guitars and sombreros and it was a great time – raising money for the kids and having fun, that’s what it’s all about,” said Soles.

Some of the teams in the competition ran out of their chili before the end of the day.

Soles said some of the chilies were different and some teams used some different ingredients, but they were all good.

The Prince Albert Inn teamed up with the Northern Lights Casino to win the cook-off.

The totals from the coffee day on Mar. 18 aren’t in yet.

The money from the cook-off has the Children’s Haven on target for what they need to raise, but it’s only the first step toward their big fundraiser – the radio marathon Mar. 24 and 25.

The marathon will be broadcast live on Power 99 FM from the Gateway Mall from 6 a.m. Thursday until 5 p.m. Friday.

The staff of the Children’s Haven are working hard to get ready for the 35-hour event.

“It’s just a wonderful event and you draw your strength and your energy off the excitement of it and the support that you get, we couldn’t do what we do without the folks that support us,” said Soles.

Soles said anything that people can give helps, “any dollar that we raise is a dollar that we didn’t have before we started so we’re really appreciative.”

lschick@panow.com