CALEDONIA—This weekend, over 20 chilli vendors will converge on Caledonia’s Riverside Exhibition Centre, all in the name of bragging rights and raising funds to help local youth at the Knights of Columbus annual Chilli Cookoff.
The event will be held from 4-8 p.m. on Saturday, April 20. According to event mastermind Michael Zyma, the chilli on offer will vary in spice and fillings, with alternative treats including hot dogs, snacks, and ice cream. Beer and wine will be served at the bar. Six-piece band Pipe Down will provide entertainment, along with Caledonia Studio of Dance, Little Ray’s Reptile Zoo, and exhibits from the OPP, fire department, and more. Guests also have a shot at over $20,000 worth of donated prizes in raffles and a silent auction.
This year eight local youth will benefit from the event, with the local K of C hoping to better the $54,000 in funds raised last year. Zyma noted, “We have primary and secondary recipients. Primary are more urgent type conditions and needs that are life altering, where secondary are more subtle in nature.”
The event has been blessed with good luck over the decade-plus since its first appearance.
“It literally grew wings from its inception,” Zyma said, noting they raised $6,000 the first year. “The rest is history, always growing and raising more each year.”
All of that growth is accomplished by quite a small team of around five people, working from “December through to the end of April” to pull it off, meeting every week and “pounding pavement and knocking on doors hunting for sponsors.”
On the big night, a team of more than 100 volunteers and 300 sponsors come together, with an expected audience this year of more than 1,200 patrons. Since 2015, the event has generated over $200,000 and has directly benefitted more than 30 local families in need.
Meet this year’s recipients of the Knights of Columbus Caledonia Chili Cook Off
Avery Webster – 15 years old, Grade 9 student at Cayuga Secondary
Diagnosed with Seckel Syndrome, a rare form of dwarfism, Avery struggles with many aspects of life due to her global delays and kyphosis. She is non-verbal, legally blind, and requires constant help. Avery has had her bedroom adapted to keep her safe, including padded floors and walls. She has a specialized wheelchair, but could use a lift to assist with transferring her from her chair.
Emily Heaslip – 6-years-old from Hagersville
Emily has been diagnosed with Treacher Collin’s Syndrome, which has impacted the development of the bones and tissue in her face and skull. She has a tracheostomy tube and requires a hearing aid. She’s had several surgeries in her short life to help with her health and development. Emily is expecting to undergo her second jaw surgery to help with her breathing and hopefully have her trach tube removed. A jaw surgery would also further benefit her eating skills and speech development.
James Huges – Grade 2 student at Hagersville Elementary
James was diagnosed with level 3 autism and global developmental delay in 2019. He was a foster kid until April 2021, when his dad and stepmom got him out of the system. He has had ABA therapy, speech and language therapy, and Occupational therapy. He can project sounds, but is still non-verbal and it is very hard for him to communicate. He will take someone’s hand to guide them to what he wants. He gets frustrated easily as it’s hard for him to express when he wants or needs something. Getting a communication tablet would be amazing for James to be able to communicate with everyone around him.
Michael Swayze, 20 years old
Michael was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2020 at the age of 16. He underwent treatment and was set to start university, but in June 2023 the cancer returned, meaning another round of chemotherapy in July and the need for a stem cell transplant and heavier chemo to follow. This January, he was given the news that his treatments were not working, and he was given 3-6 months to live. His family believes that with his strength, courage, and optimism, Michael will beat cancer, surrounded by a dedicated team of doctors, nurses, family, and friends.
Breeanna Commisso – Grade 8 student at St. Stephen’s School, Cayuga
Breeanna has been diagnosed with a developmental delay, Cerebral Palsy, and vision impairment. A cheerful student, she uses a wheelchair to navigate, so specialized transportation throughout the school year can be costly for her parents. She would like to attend her year-end class trip to Camp Celtic in the Bruce Peninsula, where she will learn team building, socialization, skill development, and much more, granting her a sense of independence and inclusion that she deserves.
Gabriella Chinwe – 4-years-old from Caledonia
Gabriella was diagnosed with autism and has a congenital spine defect. Testing showed that one of her kidneys was enlarged, needing immediate surgery due to a blockage in her urethra from a congenital bladder issue. Gabriella has had to undergo multiple surgeries to clear the blockages in her urethra and started experiencing kidney reflux, leading to several UTIs. To prevent further infections, they had to start catheterization at home and school. Gabby is also undergoing ABA and speech therapy sessions weekly, as she hasn’t started speaking yet. Despite these challenges, Gabriella is the bravest 4-year-old and her parents are optimistic about her future.
Lloyd McDonald – Grade 5 student in Cayuga
Kind-hearted Lloyd faces many daily challenges in the regular classroom setting due to a history of trauma in his early years. He has been receiving assistance from an FASD support worker through Haldimand Norfolk Reach. He would like to attend an alternative education program at an outdoor educational facility called “River Road Nature School”. He will be attending this facility one day per week during the entire 2024-25 school year, which will help him gain the strategies needed to be successful at school.
Tanika Jacobs, 16 years old
Tanika has lived with a critical life-threatening illness for years. She was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes eight years ago when found in a diabetic coma. Due to septic shock and aspiration, she has lost a limb and has undergone two double-lung transplants. Unfortunately, both transplants resulted in rejection. She also has a condition called Bronchioles Obliterans. Tanika currently lives with a tracheostomy and requires constant ventilation and oxygen. Her mother is her full-time caregiver. She receives home instruction for school, and gets out once a week to a youth group in the community. She enjoys painting, crafting, and animals. She also raises money for Sick Kids Hospital with cards and paintings.
