• All proceeds go toward The Turning Point of Lincoln County.
The Turning Point of Lincoln County is hosting a Chili Cook-off and Corn-bread Bake-off this weekend at the Thayne Community Center on Saturday, December 2 from 5:30-8 p.m. All proceeds from this fundraising event go toward The Turning Point, which is the only organization in Lincoln County with programs that support victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, harassment and stalking.
According to volunteerwyoming.org, the mission of The Turning Point is “to reduce the incidents of family violence, sexual assault, stalking, incest and child abuse in Lincoln County by providing comprehensive services and options to any victim, and by providing preventative education programs in the school, communities and other community agencies.”
Through social media, school programs, health fairs and various other outlets, The Turning Point works to educate the public about the services they provide to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. They provide a 24-hour crisis line for victims of violence in Lincoln County as well as safety planning, transportation, transitional housing, shelter, support groups and other services.
Jennifer Woodie, who serves as Outreach Coordinator and Advocate with The Turning Point in North Lincoln County, has organized the event with hopes that the public will cook up and enter their favorite chili and cornbread recipes and that the rest of the community will attend to judge the food and to participate in the fundraising activities.
People entering chili or cornbread can register in advance or bring their entry to the registration table at the event. First prize winners for each of the chili and cornbread contests will take home $300. Second place winners will earn $200, and third place winners will receive $100. Children are invited to enter their age category of a coloring contest for gift bags and $30 at first place, $20 at second place and $10 at third place for their entry. The entry fee for the chili and cornbread contests is $25 per entry.
“This is to raise money for The Turning Point and to keep it growing,” said Woodie in an interview with SVI Media last week. “Edwards Custom Carpets is our sponsor, and we will have lots of good things for the community to enjoy.”
Several raffle opportunities include the chance to win a 2023 Polaris Sportsman 450 EPS with a snowplow and winch. You do not need to be present to win, and Woodie will deliver the ATV to the winner. Guests can also win gift cards to various local businesses, gift baskets and other items that they can take home from the event.
“The public is serving as our judges, so we need everyone to come taste all the chili and cornbread, and bring their kids to enter the coloring contest,” said Woodie. Live music will be presented by The Bob Stevens Band. Doors open at 4:30 for chili and cornbread entries, and the public is welcome at 5:30.
“The Turning Point has support programs for young adult and adult women and men, whether they’re being sexually assaulted or experiencing domestic violence, stalking or harassment,” said Woodie. “We help with all of that. The Turning Point is very important. A lot of people don’t realize that [these things] happen here, but it’s very important because it could be happening to your next door neighbor. It’s one of the number one forms of social intervention that we need here. Turning Point is extremely busy. So far this year, we have helped 85 people and provided 200 services. It literally takes a whole community to keep The Turning Point open, and it takes a whole community for victims to be able to get the help they need.
To enter or volunteer your support, please call or text Woodie directly at 307-690-2538.
