We were stunned last year when MRIA turned an evening’s worth of chili into over $3,500 in donations for the Mt. Royal Elementary/Middle School North Bay summer camp fund. At this year’s chili dinner fundraiser, we blew away last year’s totals.
This year’s event, held on April 19 at Brown Memorial church, raised a grand total $6,195.
“On behalf of the Mount Royal School, we would like to thank the MRIA and local community for your amazing support in helping us send students to North Bay Outdoor Adventure Trip again this year,” said Principal Job Grotsky. “Because of your generous support, every sixth grader wishing to go is now able to. This is over 60 students afforded the opportunity to learn about the restoration efforts to save the Chesapeake Bay.”
Principal Grotsky’s sentiments were echoed by the President of the PTO, Stacy Wells, who said “WOW, I am speechless. Amazing. Thank you.”
Photos by Powell Perng
The overwhelming success of the event, surpassing even the committee’s ambitious goal of $5,000, was the result of strong efforts of MRIA’s Churches and Schools committee members. Marjorie Forster, Barbara Francis, Patrick Francis, Hannah Logue, and Powell Perng were aided by Linda Rittelmann, Carla Witzel, Victoria Patch, and Tunji Williams on the day of the event. Andrew Parlock was the great raffle announcer.
Save-A-Lot donated chili supplies, H&S Bakery donated dozens of rolls, and Blacksauce Kitchen donated pulled chicken and four large double pans of biscuits (which went REAL fast!). Neighbors Linda Rittelman and Don Palmer each donated batches of their own world-famous chili, and Monty Howard designed the posters.
Andrew Parlock shouted down the crowd of adults and kids to raffle off the fine offerings donated by local merchants including Art of Attraction, b Bistro, Earth Treks Climbing Gym, Epitome Barber Shop, On the Hill Café, Park Café, Roland Park Driving School, and the Charles Theatre, plus watercolors from artist Martha Dougherty.
A special thanks goes to the Bolton Hill Grocery, Sutton Sandwich Shop, and MRIA for their generous monetary donations to the fund.
Brown Memorial Presbyterian donated the space and all the dining supplies, as well as setup and cleanup help. They even helped with promotion by distributing flyers to the congregation. Many neighbors graciously supplied homemade desserts.
Neighbor Barbara Francis said, “We hope the 6th graders have a fabulous experience and send pictures. We were happy to have this opportunity to participate in the life of the school and were gratified by the outpouring of support from the community.”
Download PDF