At the start of this interview, I noticed a gallon size bag of chiles sitting on the table in front of us.  My first thought was, I hope they won’t expect me to eat a chili and then give an interview!

Of course, they didn’t. They are representatives from all the Rotary Clubs in the Tri-City Area.  Perhaps some readers are like me.  Though I’ve heard of Rotary, I didn’t really know exactly what a Rotary Club does.  So it was fun to get to know the people of our local Tri-City Clubs.  They are givers, people who get involved and take actions to help out those in need.  Locally and all over the world.  Some of the projects we discuss in this episode are very impressive.  To think a club here in Newark, or Union City, or Fremont has been responsible for bringing water to a community in Africa, for instance, blows me away.

This interview explains the currently running Hot HOT Chili Pepper Challenge.  Proceeds go to benefit several charities listed below.  For everyone accepting the challenge Rotary will match their donations 2-1.  Last year they raised $40,000!  So what is the challenge? To eat a chili of course!  There are multiple ways to participate – not all of them involve eating the hottest chili you can find.  Listen for more info and learn a little bit more about our local community. The challenge runs from now through the end of October.

 

I speak with Daren Young, the Chili Pepper Challenge Chair, and CEO of Dryco Construction.  Helen Kennedy provides “how to” details on how to find the CPC and support a charity. We talked with leaders from every Rotary Club in the area: Laurence Hansen (Newark), Angus Cochran (Niles), Mike Wirjadisastra (Mission San Jose), Jim Bell (Fremont), Glenn Nate and Helen Kennedy (Fremont, Union City, Newark), Jeboy Koshy (Fremont Morning).

We also talked with the local charities who will benefit from the proceeds of the Chili Pepper Challenge. Each donation is submitted with a hashtag so it gets credited to the correct program for matching funds. We heard from Alan Nagy, Mayor of Newark and Kelsey Camello (Washington Township Museum of Local History, #spicymusem), Glenn Nate (New Haven Schools Foundation, #spicyschools), Patricia Osage (Life Eldercare, #spicyeldercare), and Jim Bell (Salvation Army, #spicyarmy.) We heard about two Rotary charities, too. Jeboy Koshy talked about the Tri-City Rotary Clinic (#spicyrotaryclinic), and Helen Kennedy told us about the Area 3 World Community Service Committee (#spicywcsc).

Show Notes and Links:

Chili Pepper Challenge Website – Donations

http://www.hotchilipepperchallenge.com

Become a Sponsor

https://www.hotchilipepperchallenge.com/events/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/ChiliPepperChallenge/

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/chilipepperchallenge/

Twitter

@rchilichallenge