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Poland Rotary Chili Open auction supports charities
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The Poland Rotary’s person of the year, Kathleen Price (center) of the Mission of Love Foundation, relaxed with her family and friends during the Chili Open fundraiser. Sieglinde Warren (left), Price’s husband Bob Price, Bob Elston, and Peg Elston (right) have gone on many missions with Kathleen Price with her foundation.
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Kathleen Price (right) says her husband Bob (left) has been her biggest supporter in her years with the Mission of Love Foundation.
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Rotary officials and the Chili Open planning committee looked relaxed with their party successful and in full swing. Rotary president Matt Maxwell (left), and Chili Open chairs Henry Nemenz, Mary Ann Martinko, Holly Fritz, and Carmella Smallhoover (right) smiled before getting back to activities.
By SARAH FOOR
The Poland Rotary celebrated service above self on Jan. 28, by supporting and saluting Valley charities with money raised through auctions, raffles and live entertainment at its 25th annual Chili Open Auction.
Since 1986, the Poland Rotary has given over a million dollars to local charities with funds raised at its auction and Chili Open Golf Classic. Each year at the auction, the club celebrates its Person of the Year. For 2011, the club chose Kathleen Price, founder of the Mission of Love Foundation, who provides aid and supplies to those in need locally and globally.
“The award is an honor, but it doesn’t make today feel any different than any other day. I still have my mission to rebuild the Indian communities at Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, and to support local charities as much as I can. This award is more about the people that I service than about me,” Price said.
Price attended the event with her husband and friends, who have all attended service trips with her through Mission of Love.
“Kathleen does great work and we’re just here to support her vision,” Bob Elston, a friend of Price, said.
Although the auction celebrated Price, she preferred to celebrate the Poland Rotary.
“The Rotary has always supported the Mission of Love Foundation with charitable donations from the Chili Open. Many roofs in the Pine Ridge reservation wouldn’t be possible without the Rotary.”
Money was raised for 16 charities with 50/50 raffles, Chinese auctions and a silent auction. Items up for bid included an activity pass for a year of Poland athletic activities and a cooking class and dinner for 10, facilitated by the Georgetown cooking staff.
Rotary member Mary Ann Martinko chaired and planned the event.
“The Chili Open is all about aiding those who provide aid to our community,” she shared. “The money we raise changes each year, but even on off years, we’re always supporting more and more area charities in every way we can.”