BEDFORD — The inaugural “Stirring Up Great Futures” fundraiser hosted by the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence County proved to be a recipe for success, raising nearly $14,000 to support local youth programs while laying the groundwork for what organizers hope will become a long-running annual tradition.
The cooking competition fundraiser brought together community members, local businesses, and volunteer cooks for an evening centered on food, fundraising, and support for children and teens served by the club.
Ashley Gilstrap, director of resource development for the organization, said attendees enthusiastically embraced the event and were already discussing plans for next year before the evening concluded.
“Those in attendance enjoyed the event and were already talking about next year,” Gilstrap said. “We recruited more individuals to cook for next year already because they enjoyed the event.”
According to Gilstrap, the fundraiser generated approximately $14,000 while costing less than $300 to organize, allowing the club to retain nearly all of the proceeds to benefit its programs and services.
Several teams earned top honors during the inaugural competition. Miller’s Menu captured first place in the dessert category and was also recognized as the event’s top fundraiser. Team Hooten earned first place for appetizer and side dishes, while Lucky Ladles took home first place honors in the main dish category.
“We are grateful to everyone who participated as cooks and helped raise money for the event, and to those who attended,” she said. “We look forward to growing the event next year and making this an annual event for years to come.”
The event was first announced earlier this year as a community cooking competition designed to bring organizations and businesses together in support of local youth. Teams were encouraged to raise funds prior to and while preparing dishes during the competition.
Organizers said the fundraiser was created not only to raise money for the club’s operations and youth programming, but also to strengthen community involvement and awareness of the organization’s mission.
The Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence County serves hundreds of children through after-school and youth development programs across multiple sites in Lawrence County. The organization provides academic support, recreational activities, leadership development opportunities, and mentoring programs for local youth.
Following the success of the first-year event, organizers say plans are already underway to expand “Stirring Up Great Futures” in 2027, with additional teams and participants expected to join the fundraiser.
Learn more about the Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence County by visiting their website or Facebook page.
