FAIRHOPE, Ala. — The tents have been folded and the Rolaids have been passed around. With that, the book closes on the 10th annual Chili for Charity, a fundraiser for Ecumenical Ministries Inc. (EMI), a United Way agency. The event was held Feb. 20, and was the most successful to date.

Around $35,000 was raised this year through ticket sales, including premium tickets that included a special chili bowl donated by Clay City potter Tom Jones. An estimated 2,500 attended.

“We had a beautiful day, and each year you better yourselves,” said Darlene Haas, EMI community liaison and event organizer. “Because we made more money and had more folks there than usual this time, we had a great year.”

Haas credits the family atmosphere for Chili for Charity remaining a perennial favorite. People know the organization’s mission, and appreciate the spirit of camaraderie that is felt in the air at the cookoff each year, she added.

She also tipped her hat to this year’s major sponsors, including Em and Joe Johnson, (Tom) Jones, Jeanne Maes, Dennis Gassert, BBVA Compass Bank, South Baldwin Regional Medical Center, First National Bank of Baldwin County, Riviera Utilities and Stacey Rexall Drugs.

Teams chosen by a blue ribbon panel of judges as having best chili this year were Riviera Utilities, first place; Dauphin Realty, second place; Montrose Bay Health and Rehabilitation, third place; the Bradley Byrne Campaign, fourth place; and Teddy Faust Jr., fifth place.

The apron contest winner this year was Gulf Shores Title, and the Law Office of Spencer Davis took top honors for best booth decorations.

The People’s Choice-winning chili team, Bayside Academy Boy’s Service Club, was determined to have the best chili by those who attended the event. That contest is based on donations left in a jar at each booth.

Haas said, “We’re lucky we have a great community that supports us. We try to keep it interesting and affordable.”

Teams made up of family members, businesses, churches and political candidates gathered to scrap over whose chili had the best in the bowl taste.

Haas said everyone was a winner this year because they helped the nonprofit agency in a time of true need, as a recession sends more people than ever to the group’s doors.

EMI was founded in 1969 with one program, and now helps the less fortunate in several ways. Among the social programs the organization provides are emergency aid, food pantries, Meals on Wheels, prescription assistance, gleaning, home repair, Emmy’s Thrift Shop (donated furnishings are sometimes donated to families in need), community development services, Christmas Sharing and Baldwin County Hope (housing and education).

For more information about Ecumenical Ministries, and the services they provide, call (251) 928-3430 or (251) 943-3445.