-From Press Release

On Thursday, February 27, 2014, the United Fund of Washington County will be hosting their Ninth Annual Chili Bee at that Plymouth First Bapstist Church Fellowship Hall from 5pm to 8pm.

The United fund’s mission is “to raise and distribute funds to organizations whose goals are to meet the needs of the citizens of Washington County.” Organizations that the United Fund has awarded grant funds to include: American Red Cross-Albemarle, Pamlico Chapter, Center for Family Violence Prevention, Inc., Emergency Relief Fund- Washington County, Empty Stocking Fund- Washington County, Washington County Girl Scouts-Colonial Coast Council , Plymouth Food Pantry, Roanoke Development Center, Tyrrell- Washington Partnership for the Children, and Washington County 4-H. This year’s fundraising goal is $15,000 and the Chili Bee functions as the main fundraiser of the year.

This event consists of a chili cook-off  (2 quart minimum) and a team-based spelling bee.  All chili entries must be submitted to the Plymouth First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall by 3:45. Judging starts at 4pm. The chili supper begins at 5pm and the cost is $5/ bowl. Meals can be eaten in or picked up for take-out. This year the judges for the cook-off will be Reverend Jimmy Hagwood, County Attorney Curtis Potter and Washington County Senior Center’s Mike Todd-Stone.  The spelling bee has 10 teams, which are represented by all Washington County Schools, Washington County Schools’ Central Office, Plymouth First Baptist Church and Washington County Hospital. The monitors are from Washington County 4-H and the word pronouncer will be Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Joe Davis.

President of United Fund, Laura Oliver, explains, “A spelling bee may not sound that entertaining, but this one is! When you watch the teams interact under pressure and laughing all the way through the night, you can’t help but have a good time.”   The Board of Directors encourages everyone to get involved, may it be buying tickets, submitting a pot of chili or pulling together a last minute spelling bee team. It is all for a great cause that helps a large variety of Washington County Citizens. For information about the Spelling Bee contact Laura Oliver at 252-793-2163. To enter into the Chili Cook off and purchase tickets, contact Jenn Arnold at 252-793-5823. Also, tickets will be available at the door.