To me, one of the most remarkable things about San Miguel de Allende is the rich spirit of giving and volunteerism among its citizenry. There are over 50 organized charities in town working at the grass-roots level to improve the lives of those in need. Hardly a week goes by when San Miguelenses are not offered an opportunity to provide support to a local charity by assisting with a project, attending a benefit, or making a donation. Our involvement really does make a meaningful difference.
At the same time, perhaps one of the most difficult things about living in San Miguel, in my experience, is deciding how and where to devote my available resources. There are so many worthy causes in need of assistance, but reality limits the amount of money that most of us can donate, and we’re all allotted only 24 hours in a day.
My primary contribution for the past several years has been working as Co-Chair of, and providing financial support for, Chili and Charros (the San Miguel International Chili Cook-Off). Since its inception, all Chili & Charros proceeds have gone to a single charity. I am thrilled to announce that, beginning in 2012, Chili & Charros is starting a new tradition.
More Help for More People
All proceeds of Chili & Charros 2012 will go to the San Miguel Community Foundation (SMCF). The people of SMCF are experienced and efficient philanthropists. Established 35 years ago, SMCF provides financial support to dozens of charitable organizations in and around our community, including those who:
provide seed money, training and mentoring to help the neediest among us start small businesses and become self-sufficient;
build homes for the homeless;
educate the poor (through a broad range of programs from improving schools to providing scholarships);
run free clinics and provide health education for the disadvantaged;
provide nursing home and hospice services;
teach water harvesting and conservation and other types of environmental education;
run orphanages; and
improve the lives of homeless dogs and cats by providing shelter, food, healthcare and adoption services.
In the past year, SMCF also provided funds to refurbish one of San Miguel’s few fire trucks, and made matching grants for two new, much needed ambulances for the Red Cross.Please take a moment to visit the Grants page of the SMCF website at www.sanmiguelcommunityfoundation.org. Chances are, you’ll see at least one of your favorite charities listed as a SMCF grant recipient.
SMCF accepts applications from charities throughout the year and awards grants in May and November. Now, they have decided to add a third grant to their giving cycle using the proceeds of the Chili Cook-Off.At least 5 charities will receive grants. SMCF will make the grants, and announce the benefitting charities and grant amounts, in early February.
About Chili & Charros
The San Miguel International Chili Cook-Off, now called “Chili and Charros,” was founded by Rodney Hutto, Mary Jones, Keith Thompson and Linda McLaughlin in 2006.Thanks to their hard work and the contributions of scores of people who volunteer at the event, dozens of businesses that donate money and merchandise, and over 2,000 people who now regularly attend the event, Chili & Charros has become one of the most successful fundraisers in town. It’s also a lot of fun! It was voted San Miguel’s Best Festival/Fiesta of 2011 in Explore & Go Mexico’s “Best of” contest.
The 6th Annual Chili & Charros will be Saturday, January 28, 2012,from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the newly re-furbished grounds behind Hotel Real de Minas.As always, we will have free chili & charros tastings from 1:00 to 4:00, a silent auction with fabulous items, live music all day and into the evening, rodeo ring performances and more. We have some surprise entertainment in store, so please stay tuned!
Please visit our website at www.chiliandcharros.com for more information about how you, by participating in this one event, either as a contestant, a volunteer or simply as an attendee, can both have fun and have a meaningful impact on at least five charities – all in one day.
