Carne Diem in Colorado Springs Raises $2,700 for Local Charities
At VI we’ve always focus on ways that we can help the community - and if we can have a little fun in the process then we’ve found our recipe for success. For the past decade VI has hosted chili cook-offs ("Carne Diem") at our Oklahoma City office, but in 2013 we took the concept to Colorado Springs and instantly knew we needed to make it an annual tradition.
For Carne Diem, VI teams up with local nonprofits to ensure that all proceeds coming in go right back to the community. This year in Colorado Springs we were able to give back $2,700 to the Pioneers Museum and Project COPE, two organizations we know will use the funds to better the community.
Read the full release on the event below:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
“VI Marketing and Branding raises $2,700 for local charities at 2nd Annual Carne Diem Chili Cook-off”
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, Sept. 20, 2014 - VI Marketing and Branding’s 2nd Annual Carne Diem Chili Cook-off, held September 4, 2014 on the lawn of the Pioneers Museum in downtown Colorado Springs, was a great success with over 300 people coming to taste over 48 different chilis. This year’s event raised $2,700 for two local charities - $1,000 for the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum and $1,700 for Project COPE.
“We are thrilled to receive $1,700 on behalf of Project COPE, said Johnna Chapman, Community Liaison with Colorado Springs Utilities. “Project COPE (Citizens Option to Provide Energy) provides utilities assistance to over 3700 families and individuals annually with utilities assistance due to a personal crisis or emergency.”
Nine restaurants competed in the cook-off, with Phantom Canyon taking home the coveted Carne Cup. 2nd place went to Judge Baldwin’s, 3rd place to Green Line Grill and 4th place to Cucuru’s Gallery Café. In addition to the winners, participating restaurants included: Jose Muldoon’s, MacKenzie’s Chop House, Coquettes, Green Line Grill and La Casita.
Thirty-eight participants vied for cash prizes in the amateur division. Winners were: 1st place, Mercy’s Gate; a tie for 2nd place between Eric Howell and the Colorado Springs Utilities Revenue Team; and 3rd place, the District Attorney’s Office.
“We really enjoy being able to put on this event to not only raise money for local charities but to also let the downtown business people enjoy something a little out of the ordinary during their lunch hour,” said Tim Berney, VI partner. “We look forward to an even bigger and better event next year, so get your chili recipes ready.”
Celebrity judges decided the winning restaurant entries. Judges were Gazette Food Editor Teresa Farney, Downtown Partnership Development Manager Sarah Harris, and Natalie Eckhart and Mark Murphy with Colorado Springs Utilities.
About VI Marketing and Branding: VI Marketing and Branding has been in Downtown Colorado Springs for 11 years. VI also has offices in Kansas City and Oklahoma City. Formerly a full-service advertising agency, VI has evolved into a marketing communications firm with expertise in developing marketing programs, strategic planning, branding, public relations and digital media, as well as offering the traditional creative and media services of advertising agencies.
For more information visit http://info.vimarketingandbranding.com/springscarnediem.
About Project COPE: Project COPE provides utilities payment assistance to families and individuals struggling financially due to a personal crisis or emergency. Project COPE is the only local organization that dedicates its entire funding to utilities payment assistance year-round.
About the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum: The Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum (CSPM) is the only institution researching, collecting and interpreting the robust history of Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak region. Each year, the Museum welcomes more than 50,000 visitors who learn what our community has been, what it is today and what it can become in the future.
For further communication, contact:
Shannon Porter
303-888-9283
