LIMA, Ohio — A hot bowl of chili not only warmed attendees at this year’s Chili for Charity event but also helped fund local organizations supporting youth mental health initiatives in Lima. The event, which brought together community members and nonprofits, focused on raising funds to support mental health programs for local youth.
Local nonprofits had the opportunity to pitch their programs in hopes of securing grant funding, with the audience selecting the top three organizations. The event was organized by Activate Allen County, the Mental Health Board of Allen, Auglaize, and Hardin counties, with support from several sponsors.
Each attendee contributed $10 for a chili lunch, with the funds going toward additional grants for the top vote-getting organizations. The Autism Life Center and Maddy’s House by Church on the Rock each received $8,000, while Warrior’s Way’s new youth archery program received the largest award, $9,500.
Jeffrey Dauterman of Warrior’s Way shared his excitement about the impact of their program, saying, “There’s a lot to be learned in archery—patience, understanding, self-worth. It’s so rewarding to watch a child do something they didn’t believe they could at the beginning. That’s really what our program is going to be based on. We’re also partnering with the Bradfield Center, the United Way, and Activate Allen County.”
This year’s Chili for Charity marked the event’s second annual gathering, and organizers have announced plans to continue hosting the event in the coming years to further support community-driven mental health initiatives.
