Cooking Up School Funds

Each year in October, Roosevelt Elementary School families dust off their favorite chili recipes and get to work in preparation for the Roosevelt Chili Cook-Off. Jennifer Callahan and Julie Wilson, both Roosevelt mothers, have devoted a great deal of time over the summer to co-chairing the annual fundraiser. 

Burlingame Schools are suffering from funding decreases, and each school is doing its part to bridge the gap between what the state is providing and what is necessary to uphold the educational standards of the Burlingame School District.

"The principles are working on a tighter budget and asking more from their PTAs for the things they used to have money for," said Callahan, adorned in her Roosevelt Chili Cook-Off t-shirt from last year. "The state is not providing much."

The Roosevelt Chili Cook-Off began 14 years ago when parents realized that state funding for certain programs, school activities and supplies was not adequate.

"The playground equipment, the library, all kinds of fun stuff for the kids… that's all paid for by the PTA [Parent Teacher Association] and fundraisers like this," Callahan said. "I felt like I had to step up because I want my kids' education to be enriched." 

The chili cook-off is a friendly competition between families entering in order to answer this question: Who can make the best chili this year?

Guests of the event make their rounds, taste the contestants' chili and cast their votes. In addition to the chili cook-off, this event features a silent auction, different food stations, a variety of sports games, arts and crafts, a live band and much more.

The entire city rallies for a day of fun at Roosevelt School. Callahan and Wilson said they have never been disappointed with the turn out, and are surprised to see it increase every year. There is also a large Burlingame Police Department and Central County Fire Department presence at this event.

"We have a lot of great parent and community volunteers here. I think that's what makes Burlingame schools so wonderful," said Wilson. "The parent and community involvement, the commitment that the entire city puts in to making the public schools work makes this a great community event." 

The cook-off raises money specifically for Roosevelt's PTA. Both Callahan and Wilson said that having the PTA's biggest fundraiser early in the year allows them to know how much money they have to work with for the rest of the year early on.

The funds from the cook-off have gone to past projects like the garden behind the portable buildings at Roosevelt and special assemblies like the recent character building workshop.

Ideas like the Lunch Club would not have been made a reality without funds from the cook-off. During the winter months when the weather is too cold for outside play during lunch time and recess, parent volunteers supervise and teach lessons in 14 topics like yoga, cooking, crochet, gardening and origami. All supplies are paid for by the chili cook-off.

"It doesn't feel much like a job because it's so fun," said Wilson. "It's a couple months of hard work for us, but the pay back is great...everyone appreciates it."

The Roosevelt Chili Cook-Off takes place Sunday, Oct. 10 at 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.