South Shore nonprofit to host its first Family Fun & Community Day
By LOIS KINDLE
A new event is about to kick off at E.G. Simmons Regional Park Saturday, Oct. 13, and the public is invited to participate.
Hosted by the CATE (Conquering Addiction Through Education) Foundation and sponsored by MJ Natural Resources in Apollo Beach, the Family Fun & Community Day offers parents and their children a great way to get outdoors, have a blast and spend some quality time together.
The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 2401 19th Ave. N.W., Ruskin. Aside from a $2 per carload entry fee into the park (for up to eight people), admission is free.
The festivities will include five bounce houses, two face-painters, a magician, a clown and water balloon toss, plus other games and activities provided by an estimated 30 vendors.
Be sure to come hungry, folks. Between noon and 2 p.m., seven to 10 chili cooks will be spicing things up and preparing their special recipes in one of the hottest contests of the year. For only $5, you get a bowl to go around and sample them all and, if you’d like, vote on your favorite for the People’s Choice Award. The winner gets a trophy and $50 VISA gift card.
Additional chili cooks are welcome to join the competition. It costs $25 to enter, and you’ll need to cook at least 4 gallons of your meanest batch of chili. All contestants will compete for trophies and three cash prizes of $50, $75 and $100, which will go to the top three cooks with the best chili recipes. There’s also a trophy and $50 gift card for the best-decorated booth.
Other food and beverages will be sold.
The Family Fun & Community Day will also include a 50/50 raffle and Chinese auction, which includes items like two pairs of Tampa Bay Lightning tickets, Sam’s Club and Costco gift cards, gift baskets, artwork and lots more.
Tickets are two for $1; 15 for $5; 40 for $10 ; and 100 for $20.
It’s all for a great cause. Proceeds from vendor fees and chili sales will benefit the CATE Foundation, which provides support and resources for those recovering from substance abuse.
“We’re hosting this event to build awareness about the foundation and to raise funds for our operation,” said Tina Patch, its president. “So many people still don’t know we exist and the many services we offer to the public, in addition to our mission of helping people in recovery and their families.
“We plan on growing Family Fun & Community Day and making it an annual event,” she said.
The CATE Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, was founded a year ago and opened its Community & Recovery Resource Center at 5942 Frond Way in Apollo Beach last January. The center offers free sewing, yoga and recovery classes, and meeting space for community use during the weekdays or weekends. It’s usually open by 10 a.m. daily or by appointment.
Volunteers and donations are appreciated.
For more information, call 813-773-7175 or visit www.2cate.org. Entry forms for the chili competition can be downloaded from the website.