Chili fundraiser sends kids to camp

MARQUETTE — Four different Marquette elementary schools put together the first–ever Camper Chili Cook–Off fundraiser earlier this evening.

Sandy Knoll, Graveraet, Cherry Creek, and Superior Hills Elementary Schools worked together for the fundraiser to help send every 5th grader in Marquette Area Public Schools to the Outdoor Education Camp at Bay Cliff. The fundraiser hopes to raise ten thousand dollars in its first year to go towards camper expenses.

“They will spend time together in a cabin group and stay over night, away from mom and dad,” said Graveraet Elementary School Prinicpal Sarah Kemppainen, “and learn how to get along with what will become their traveling group of classmates until they graduate from Marquette Senior High School.”

The event was filled with food and a silent auction with gifts from local artists and businesses. Parents and other volunteers served the food, but the students were responsible for a lot of the ticket sales.

“The students did have a challenge to sell tickets,” said Kaufman Auditorium Director Sara Cambensy, “for example at Sandy Knoll, the 5th grade class that sold the most tickets will get a pizza party, so they had a little incentive there and they actually did really well.”

All of the proceeds from the event went directly towards funding the fifth grade camper participation fee and camp expenses. A large crowd came to support the event, which will take place again next year.